Tubuloside A ( 8.6 microM) can inhibit D-galactosamine-induced death of hepatocytes. Tubuloside A has NO radical-scavenging activity, which possibly contributes to its anti-inflammatory effects.Tubuloside A shows stronger free radical scavenging activities than alpha-tocopherol on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and xanthine/xanthine oxidase (XOD) generated superoxide anion radical (O2-.).