OBJECTIVE To investigate the protection role of schiandrin B against experimental oxidative damages of lens.METHODS 20 New Zealand rabbits (40 eyes) were divided into four groups:(1)control group,(2)Fenton group (Fenton),(3)pirenoxine sodium group (PS),(4)0.5 mmol·L^-1schisandrin B group (Sch B).All fresh lenses except the control group were bathed in Fenton reaction system consisting of H₂O₂and FeCl₃as a model of oxidative damages of lens.Meanwhile PS and Sch B were added into the reaction system in PS and Sch B groups respectively.Lenses were incubated in CO₂incubator for 24 hours.Then soluble protein(SP),superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px),glutathione (GSH),Vitamin C (Vit C) and Malondiaoldehyde (MDA) in homogenized lenses were measured.RESULTS (1)Sch B group Compared with Fenton group:SP of lens in Sch B group was significantly higher than that in Fenton reaction system (P＜0.01);The activities of SOD and GSH-Px and the levels of GSH and Vit C in the lens of Sch B group increased;MDA decreased.(2)Sch B group Compared with PS group:SOD activity in Sch B group was 1.66 times the level of PS group;GSH in Sch B group was 2.58 times the level of PS group;Vit C,2.36 times;MDA decreased 24%(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION The findings showed that Sch B protected lens against oxidative damages in Fenton reaction system remarkably,and the anti oxidative role of Sch B was better than PS.The results provided scientific basis for using Sch B as a potential drug to prevent and treat cataract.