Typically chemopreventive agents either induce phase II detoxifying enzymes or inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) that are required for the metabolism of carcinogens. In this study, we isolated a coumarin compound, isoimperatorin from Poncirus trifoliata Raf., and studied its protective effects against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced cytotoxicity in H4IIE cells. Isoimperatorin (>0.3 microM) significantly inhibited the cytotoxic effect of AFB1. CDNB [1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene; glutathine S-transferase (GST) subtype-non-specific] and NBD (7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole; GSTalpha type-specific) assays revealed that isoimperatorin (0.3-3 microM) increased GST activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot analyses using subtype-specific antibodies confirmed that GSTalpha protein, but not GSTmu or GSTpi, was induced in cells treated with isoimperatorin. Reporter gene analysis using an antioxidant response element (ARE) containing construct and subcellular fractionation assays revealed that GSTalpha induction by isoimperatorin is associated with Nrf2/ARE activation. Moreover, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase assays showed that isoimperatorin (2 microM) completely inhibited 3-methylchoranthrene-inducible CYP1A activity. These results indicate that isoimperatorin from Poncirus trifoliata Raf. possesses a potent hepatoprotective effect against AFB1, presumably through the induction of GSTalpha and the direct inhibition of CYP1A, and suggest that isoimperatorin should be considered a potential chemopreventive.