Schizandrin is a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan and a major component of S. chinensis and has diverse biological activities.1,2,3,4,5 It induces cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and inhibits growth of T47D and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells when used at a concentration of 100 μM.1 Schizandrin (10 and 100 μM) prevents glutamate-induced cytotoxicity, inhibits production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and preserves the mitochondrial membrane potential in isolated rat cortical cells.2 It reduces apoptosis induced by cisplatin in HK-2 human kidney cells.3 In vivo, schizandrin (1 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) reverses scopolamine-induced impairment of spatial memory and the passive avoidance response in rats.4 It enhances oxotremorine-induced tremors in mice. Schizandrin (10 mg/kg) reduces serum levels of IgE, IgG1, IL-4, and IFN-γ in an ovalbumin-sensitized mouse model of allergy.5
1.Kim, S.-J., Min, H.-Y., Lee, E.J., et al.Growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 by schizandrin, a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan isolated from Schisandra chinensis, on T47D human breast cancer cellsPhytother. Res.24(2)193-197(2010) 2.Cheng, H.-Y., Hsieh, M.-T., Wu, C.-R., et al.Schizandrin protects primary cultures of rat cortical cells from glutamate-induced excitotoxicityJ. Pharmacol. Sci.107(1)21-31(2008) 3.Bunel, V., Antoine, M.-H., Nortier, J., et al.Protective effects of schizandrin and schizandrin B towards cisplatin nephrotoxicity in vitroJ. Appl. Toxicol.34(12)1311-1319(2013) 4.Egashira, N., Kurauchi, K., Iwasaki, K., et al.Schizandrin reverses memory impairment in ratsPhytother. Res.22(1)49-52(2008) 5.Han, N.-R., Moon, P.-D., Kim, N.-R., et al.Schisandra chinensis and its main constituent schizandrin attenuate allergic reactions by down-regulating caspase-1 in ovalbumin-sensitized miceAm. J. Chin. Med.45(1)159-172(2017)