即时浸酸显著降低滞育家蚕卵的还原型与氧化型谷胱甘肽比值

即时浸酸在阻止家蚕Bombyx mori卵滞育发动的同时, 显著提高了家蚕卵H₂O₂含量。还原型谷胱甘肽（reduced glutathione, GSH）与氧化型谷胱甘肽（oxidized glutathione, GSSG）的比值是一种氧化胁迫状态的动态指标。为了调查即时浸酸是否造成滞育家蚕卵氧化胁迫, 本研究利用分光光度法分别测定了滞育家蚕卵和5 min即时浸酸滞育家蚕卵中GSH和GSSG含量以及谷胱甘肽转移酶（glutathione-S-transferase, GST）活性。结果表明: 处理后24 h, 即时浸酸处理家蚕卵的总谷胱甘肽（GSH+2GSSG）含量、 GSH含量、 GSSG含量、 GSH/GSSG比值和GST活性分别相当于同期滞育家蚕卵的204%, 78%, 550%, 14%和97%。据此推测, 即时浸酸在阻止滞育发动的同时, 可能通过促进GSH氧化为GSSG, 而显著降低了GSH/GSSG比值, 使家蚕卵处于过氧化状态。     

蓖麻蚕和家蚕中的谷胱甘肽及正丁基高半胱氨酸亚砜亚胺对它的抑制作用

本文利用乙醛酸排除昆虫中比较高的游离半胱氨酸的干扰,用5,5′-二硫代双(2-硝基苯甲酸)(DTNB)方法测定了蓖麻蚕、家蚕中还原谷胱甘肽的含量及其组织分布,观察到脂肪体、后部丝腺、中肠等均含有非常丰富的谷胱甘肽(GSH),说明谷胱甘肽在昆虫氨基酸的代谢调节控制中起着重要的作用。蓖麻蚕和家蚕中,GSH含量及分布有所区别。五龄中期注射S-正丁基高半胱氨酸亚砜亚胺(BSO)引起家蚕脂肪体GSH含量明显降低,提示蚕γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶受RSO强烈抑制;五龄后期,可能由于合成酶活力及GSH周转率均处于较低水平,未观察到GSH含量有明显下降。     

GSTs和GSH-Px在家蚕幼虫抵御球胞白僵菌感染过程中的作用

本实验研究家蚕幼虫解毒和抗氧化防御体系在抗真菌感染过程尤其是真菌毒素解毒过程中的作用。检测了家蚕幼虫感染球孢白僵菌以及注射球孢白僵菌毒素之后血淋巴、中肠和脂肪体中谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GSTs)活力、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活力和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量的变化及GST、GSH-Px基因表达水平的变化,同时还检测了注射GSH和毒素对家蚕幼虫感染球孢白僵菌后存活率的影响。结果表明球孢白僵菌感染家蚕幼虫后脂肪体、中肠、血淋巴中的GSTs、GR、GSH-Px酶活力性显著提高,各组织中BmGSTd1、BmGSTs1、BmGSTo1和BmGSH-Px的表达量在感染后期(54~72 h)也显著上调表达,说明家蚕幼虫可以通过增加酶活力并上调解毒和抗氧化因子的表达量以增强抗真菌感染能力。毒素注射实验表明家蚕幼虫对球孢白僵菌毒素的解毒作用主要在脂肪体和血淋巴中依赖GSTs、GR和GSH来完成,同时定量实验表明BmGSTs1和BmGSTo1在注射毒素24 h后显著上调表达,说明它们可能是家蚕幼虫对球孢白僵菌毒素的主要解毒基因。存活率实验结果表明GSH能够缓解球孢白僵菌毒素对蚕体的损害,延长家蚕幼虫的半数致死时间(约6 h)。本研究结果表明家蚕幼虫GSTs和GSH-Px构成的解毒和抗氧化防御系统在抗真菌感染过程中起到重要作用,丰富了对家蚕与病原真菌互作机制的认识。     

植物谷胱甘肽的生物合成及其生物学功能

谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)是硫酸根还原同化途径中主要的含硫非蛋白终端产物,在生物中以还原型谷胱甘肽(reduced glutathione,GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(oxidized glutathione,GSSG)存在。因其在植物体中的广泛存在和独特的还原能力得到广泛关注。本文从谷胱甘肽在植物体内的生物合成,谷胱甘肽的区划、运输和降解以及在非生物胁迫条件下的生物学功能等方面论述了近年来国内外对谷胱甘肽的研究进展。     

CO2激光处理对干旱胁迫小麦幼苗谷胱甘肽抗氧化酶系统的影响

用CO2激光(波长10600 nm,辐射剂量20.1 mW/mm2)对萌动小麦种子分别辐照0、 1、 3、 5 min, 待其长至12 d时,用10%(W/V)PEG 6000胁迫其幼苗.结果表明:CO2激光处理1、 3、 5 min显著提高了还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,显著降低了氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量(5 min除外),导致GSH/GSSG比率显著上升.3 min激光处理显著提高了干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗叶片谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)活性.通过参与降解因干旱胁迫而过量产生的过氧化产物,实现了细胞解毒功能.此外,1 min和3 min激光处理可显著提高干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗抗坏血酸氧化酶(APX)活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量,提高了组织内部的抗氧化能力,从而起到保护作用.     

组织中氧化型和还原型谷胱甘肽荧光测定法

介绍了一种同时测定组织中氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的荧光方法,应用邻苯二甲醛作为荧光试剂,GSH 和 GSSG 的标准曲线(2—10μg)均呈线性关系.测定了17例正常人肺组织及肺癌组织胞浆和线粒体内GSH 含量的亚细胞分布,本法简单、灵敏、重复性好、回收完全,比高效液相层析法容易推广.     

外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明:外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明：外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L^-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L^-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

外源NO对NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和根系谷胱甘肽抗氧化酶系统的影响

以津春2号黄瓜为材料,采用营养液水培的方法,研究了外源一氧化氮(NO)对黄瓜幼苗生长和根系谷胱甘肽抗氧化酶系统的影响.结果表明,(1)正常生长条件下添加NO能促进黄瓜幼苗生长,而添加亚甲基蓝(MB-1)显著抑制黄瓜幼苗的生长;(2)添加NO显著缓解了NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长的抑制,提高根系还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性,而氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量略有下降,同时缓解了NaCl胁迫下抗坏血酸(ASA)含量的下降幅度;(3)NaCl胁迫下添加NO的同时添加MB-1可部分解除NO的作用,与NaCl胁迫下单独添加NO处理比较,GR活性、GSH和ASA含量均降低,GSSG含量提高,APX先升高后下降.研究发现,外源NO可能通过鸟苷酸环化酶(cGC)介导来调节NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗根系GR活性和GSH、GSSG、ASA含量,提高抗氧化酶活性和非酶抗氧化物质含量,增强植株对活性氧的清除能力,减少膜脂过氧化,缓解NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗造成的伤害.     

蛋白质沉淀剂对棉铃虫谷胱甘肽S-转移酶的部分纯化

通过用聚乙烯亚胺（PEI）、硫酸铵、聚乙二醇（PEG）沉淀技术和GSH-Sepharose 4B亲和柱对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)幼虫中谷胱甘肽S-转移酶进行了部分纯化研究。结果表明PEG10000和PEG20000的纯化效果优于硫酸铵的沉淀效果。通过PEI沉淀去核酸后,再用硫酸铵沉淀,中肠和脂肪体GST活性分布在70%～75％和60%～65％沉淀段,比活力分别为1 081.49和596.41 nmol/(min·mg),纯化倍数分别为2.53和2.2。在6种PEG中,PEG10000和PEG20000的纯化效果较好。在中肠和脂肪体中PEG10000沉淀的GST活性峰分别在40%～45％和30%～40％,GST比活力分别为795.11和1 080.18 nmol/(min·mg),纯化倍数分别是2.4和3.97。PEG20000沉淀中肠和脂肪体GST的活性峰分别在25%～40％和25%～45％,比活力分别是767.57和945.96 nmol/(min·mg),纯化倍数分别是2.81和3.05。用GSH-Sepharose 4B纯化中肠GST,GST比活力达到5 888.44 nmol/(min·mg),纯化倍数达到107.38。     

Variation in glutathione status associated with induction and initiation of diapause in eggs of the bivoltine strain of the silkworm Bombyx mori

For the bivoltine (Dazao) strain of the silkworm Bombyx mori L., diapause expression in progeny is induced by exposure to conditions of 25 °C and continuous illumination (LL) during the maternal generation, whereas an environment of 15 °C and constant darkness (DD) results in nondiapause progeny. Initiation of diapause in progeny can be prevented by treatment of diapause‐programmed eggs with hydrochloric acid (HCl) at approximately 24 h post‐oviposition. To investigate whether glutathione is involved in the regulation of diapause induction and initiation in this species, measurements of total glutathione, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG ratio, glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and peroxiredoxins (Prdx) are compared in eggs incubated under LL and DD conditions, and between diapause eggs and those treated with HCl. Compared with DD, eggs incubated under LL have higher total glutathione (GSH + 2GSSG), lower GSH, higher GSSG, a lower GSH/GSSG ratio, lower GST activity and higher Prdx activity at stages 20–25 of maternal embryogenesis. The lower ratio of GSH/GSSG is indicative of pro‐oxidative conditions during diapause induction, which may result from the stronger oxidation of GSH. Compared with HCl‐treated eggs, diapause eggs have lower total glutathione, no difference in GSH, lower GSSG, a higher GSH/GSSG ratio, no difference in GST activity and lower Prdx between 36 and 72 h post‐oviposition. The higher ratio GSH/GSSG is indicative of reducing conditions during diapause initiation, which may a result of the weaker oxidation of GSH. Moreover, variations of Prdx and GST suggest that Prdx rather than GST plays an important role in the oxidation of GSH during the induction and initiation of diapause.     

Changes in glutathione redox cycle during diapause determination and termination in the bivoltine silkworm,Bombyx moil

To explore whether glutathione regulates diapause determination and termina tion in the bivoltine silkworm Bombyx mori, we monitored the changes in glutathione redox cycle in the ovary of both diapanse and nondiapauseegg producers, as well as those in dia pause eggs incubated at different temperatures. The activity ofthioredoxin reductase （TrxR） was detected in ovaries but not in eggs, while neither ovaries nor eggs showed activity of glutathione peroxidase. A lower reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione （GSH/GSSG） ratio was observed in the ovary of diapauseegg producers, due to weaker reduction of oxidized glutathione （GSSG） to the reduced glutathione （GSH） catalyzed by glutathione reductase （GR） and TrxR. This indicates an oxidative shift in the glutathione redox cy cle during diapause determination. Compared with the 25℃treated diapause eggs, the 5℃treated diapause eggs showed lower GSH/GSSG ratio, a result of stronger oxidation of GSH catalyzed by thioredoxin peroxidase and weaker reduction of GSSG catalyzed by GR. Our study demonstrated the important regulatory role of glutathione in diapause determination and termination of the bivoltine silkworm.     

Age-related changes of antioxidant enzyme activities, glutathione status and lipid peroxidation in rat erythrocytes after heat stress

The aim of this study was to determine whether exposure to heat stress would lead to oxidative stress and whether this effect varied with different exposure periods. We kept 1-, 6- and 12-month-old male Wistar rats at an ambient temperature of either 22 degrees C or 40 degrees C for 3 and 7 days and measured glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in erythrocytes and determined GSH/GSSG ratio, total glutathione and the redox index. G-6-PD and CAT activities were found to be significantly increased in 1- and 6-month-old rats after 3 and 7 days of heat stress, but G-6-PD activities decreased in 12-month-old rats. Cu, Zn-SOD activity decreased in 1-month-old rats after heat stress, whereas it increased in 6- and 12-month-old rats. GST activity increased in all groups. GSH and total GSH levels and GSH/GSSG ratios decreased in 1- and 6-month-old rats but they increased in 12-month-old rats after heat stress. GSSG levels increased in 1- and 6-month-old rats but decreased in 12-month-old rats after heat stress. TBARS levels increased in all groups. Seven days of stress is more effective in altering enzyme activities and levels of GSH, GSSG and TBARS. When the effects of both heat stress and aging were examined together, it was interesting to note that they mostly influenced G-6-PD activity.     

Age-related changes in the glutathione redox system

The effect of aging on the glutathione redox system was evaluated in this study. For this purpose, we determined reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in whole blood, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GSSGR) in erythrocytes and selenium (Se) in plasma in 176 healthy individuals. We also calculated GSH/GSSG molar ratios. These subjects were divided into five groups: group 1 (n=25; 0.2-1 years old); group 2 (n=28; 2-11 years old); group 3 (n=23; 12-24 years old); group 4 (n=40; 25-40 years old); group 5 (n=60; 41-69 years old). GSH levels in groups 1 and 5 were significantly lower than the other groups (p<0.001). Conversely, GSSG levels were significantly high in these periods (p<0.001). The GSH/GSSG molar ratio was found to be low both in the first year of life and in the oldest group (p<0.001, respectively). GPx activity in group 5 was increased as compared to the other groups (p<0.001). GSSGR activity was significantly lower in the oldest groups than in the other groups (p<0.001). Se levels were found to be low in the oldest group (p<0.001). Selenium levels of women in group 5 were significantly high as compared to the men (p<0.01). We found negative correlations between age and GSH levels (r=0.402; p<0.001), selenium levels (r=0.454; p<0.001), GSH/GSSG molar ratio (r=0.557; p<0.001) and GSSGR activity (r=0.556; p<0.001). There were positive correlations between age and GPx (r=0.538; p<0.001) and GSSG level (r=0.551; p<0.001). In conclusion, our findings show that the glutathione redox system is affected by age. Oxidative stress increases during the aging process. There is no effect of aging on the glutathione redox system according to sex except for the Se level.     

A study of glutathione status in the blood and tissues of patients with breast cancer

Glutathione plays an important role in the antioxidant system that is required for the maintenance of the redox status of the cell, defence against free radicals and detoxification of toxic compounds. Reduced glutathione (redGSH) can be converted to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) during oxidative stress. The ratio of redGSH/total glutathione can be regarded as an index of the redox status and a useful indicator of disease risks. We conducted experiments by the capillary zone electrophoresis method to investigate the alterations of the glutathione status in the blood and tissue samples from patients with breast cancer. The results showed that the levels of redGSH, GSSG, total glutathione and the ratio of redGSH/total glutathione were significantly decreased in the blood of the patients with breast cancer compared to those of the control subjects. The levels of various forms of glutathione were lower and more pronounced in stage III. In contrast, the levels of redGSH, GSSG, total glutathione and the redGSH/total glutathione ratio in breast cancer tissues were significantly increased relative to those of the adjacent cancer-free tissues, especially in stage II. We suggest that the high redGSH levels are associated with the enhancement of cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis in the cancer cells, and the loss of the large amount of erythrocyte redGSH may be due to increased detoxification capacities and defence against oxidative stress. We propose that redGSH should be regarded as an important biochemical parameter for detecting breast malignancy.     

Glutathione redox potential in response to differentiation and enzyme inducers

The reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) redox state is thought to function in signaling of detoxification gene expression, but also appears to be tightly regulated in cells under normal conditions. Thus it is not clear that the magnitude of change in response to physiologic stimuli is sufficient for a role in redox signaling under nontoxicologic conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the change in 2GSH/GSSG redox during signaling of differentiation and increased detoxification enzyme activity in HT29 cells. We measured GSH, GSSG, cell volume, and cell pH, and we used the Nernst equation to determine the changes in redox potential Eh of the 2GSH/GSSG pool in response to the differentiating agent, sodium butyrate, and the detoxification enzyme inducer, benzyl isothiocyanate. Sodium butyrate caused a 60-mV oxidation (from -260 to -200 mV), an oxidation sufficient for a 100-fold change in protein dithiols:disulfide ratio. Benzyl isothiocyanate caused a 16-mV oxidation in control cells but a 40-mV oxidation (to -160 mV) in differentiated cells. Changes in GSH and mRNA for glutamate:cysteine ligase did not correlate with Eh; however, correlations were seen between Eh and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH):quinone reductase activities (N:QR). These results show that 2GSH/GSSG redox changes in response to physiologic stimuli such as differentiation and enzyme inducers are of a sufficient magnitude to control the activity of redox-sensitive proteins. This suggests that physiologic modulation of the 2GSH/GSSG redox poise could provide a fundamental parameter for the control of cell phenotype.     

Effects of a root-colonized dark septate endophyte on the glutathione metabolism in maize plants under cadmium stress

A high Cd-tolerant dark septate endophyte (DSE), Exophiala pisciphila, was inoculated into maize (Zea mays L.) roots under Cd stress. The Cd content, enzymes activity and thiol compound content relevant to glutathione (GSH) metabolism in maize leaves were analyzed. The Cd content in maize shoots increased with increasing Cd stress, but the DSE significantly reduced the Cd content at the 40?mg/kg Cd treatment. Cd stress increased the enzyme activity of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as the thiol compound contents of sulfur, thiols (-SH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). The content of reduced GSH and the GSH/GSSG ratio reached a peak at the 5?mg/kg Cd treatment but then decreased with increasing Cd stress. Furthermore, the DSE significantly enhanced the GR and GSH-Px activity and increased the contents of -SH and GSH under low Cd stress (5 and 10?mg/kg), but decreased the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase and GST activity under high Cd stress (20 and 40?mg/kg). Highly positive correlations between the Cd content with enzymes activity and enzymes activity with thiol compound content were observed. Results indicated that DSE played a role in activating GSH metabolism in maize leaves under Cd stress.     

Preliminary studies on the involvement of glutathione metabolism and redox status against zinc toxicity in radish seedlings by 28-Homobrassinolide

The effect of exogenous application of 28-Homobrassinolide (HBR) on radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seedlings under zinc (Zn²⁺) stress on glutathione (GSH) production, consumption and changes in redox status was investigated. Zinc toxicity resulted in oxidative burst as evidenced by increased accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. These stress indices were significantly decreased by HBR supplementation. Under Zn²⁺ stress, GSH pool was decreased, while the contribution of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to total GSH increased (GSSH/GSH ratio), this translated into significant reduction of GSH redox homeostasis. In addition, an increase of phytochelatins (PCs) was observed. In radish seedlings under Zn²⁺ stress, the activities of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS), glutathione synthetase (GS), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and cysteine (Cys) levels increased but the activity of glutathione reductase (GR) decreased. However, application of HBR increased the GSH pool and maintained their redox ratio by increasing the enzyme activities of GSH biosynthesis (γ-ECS and GS) and GSH metabolism (GR, GPX and GST). The results of present study are novel in being the first to demonstrate that exogenous application of HBR modulates the GSH synthesis, metabolism and redox homeostasis to confer resistance against Zn²⁺ induced oxidative stress.     

Purification of fat body glutathione S‐transferase from the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria: investigation of flavonoid inhibitory effects on enzyme activity

Focus on the development of botanical insecticides such as polyphenols may represent an alternative method to chemical control. In the present study, total glutathione concentration and its related antioxidant enzymes in foregut, midgut, hindgut and fat body homogenates of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria are examined. Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activity exhibits a significantly higher value in fat bodies compared with other tissues. A simple and reproducible procedure for the purification of S. gregaria fat body GST is established and the purified enzyme is shown to be homogenous. The purified GST displays a typical Michaelis behaviour with respect to its substrates. Characterization of the GST, including optimum pH, substrate specificity and inhibitor effects, is carried out. The ability of some flavonoids to inhibit S. gregaria fat body GST activity is examined. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis indicates that the major components in Glycyrrhiza glabra roots are 18α‐glycyrrhetinic acid, quercetin and rutin, and the major components in Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx are cyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside chloride and delphinidin. Quercetin and delphinidin chloride exhibit strong GST inhibition and the inhibition type is determined for both. Rutin shows a smaller inhibitory effect, whereas 18α‐glycyrrhetinic acid and cyanidin have no effect. Inhibition of S. gregaria fat body GST activity would be expected to prevent, or at least delay, the development of resistance to chemical pesticides. Among the examined levels of the antioxidant enzymes, total glutathione concentration and its related enzymes in foregut, midgut, hindgut and fat body crude homogenates of S. gregaria GST activity exhibit a significantly higher value in fat bodies compared with other tissues. Some flavonoids that are detected in H. sabdariffa calyx and G. glabra root extracts are the most effective inhibitors of the purified S. gregaria fat body GST activity. Inhibition of S. gregaria fat body GST activity by quercetin and delphinidin (major compounds detected by HPLC) would be expected to prevent, or at least delay, the development of resistance to chemical pesticides.