Research

Schisandra

15 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

0
Meta-analyses
2
Systematic reviews
4
RCTs
9
Other studies
Systematic reviews (13%)
RCTs (27%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2025·Frontiers in pharmacology·Bo-Hao Huang, Bo-Han Lv, Dong-Jie Wu, et al

Efficacy of Schisandra chinensis in liver injury: a systematic review and preclinical meta-analysis.

Systematic reviewInflammation

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 54 animal studies on Schisandra chinensis for liver injury. The herb significantly reduced ALT, AST, and ALP levels, decreased MDA, and increased SOD and GSH. It also reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

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2024·International journal of biological macromolecules·Rong Ji, Zhibin Wang, Haixue Kuang

Extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activity of polysaccharides from Schisandra chinensis: A review.

Systematic reviewImmunity Inflammation Nutrition

Systematic review of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharides (SCPs), focusing on their extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activities such as immune regulation, anti-tumor, antioxidant, liver protective, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic effects. The review discusses various extraction methods and their impact on yield and purity.

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2021·The American journal of clinical nutrition·Young H Cho, Sang Y Lee, Chang-Hyung Lee, et al

Effect of Schisandra chinensis Baillon extracts and regular low-intensity exercise on muscle strength and mass in older adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

RCTn = 54Physical Performance

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the effects of Schisandra chinensis extract on muscle strength and mass in older adults performing low-intensity exercise. Over 12 weeks, SCe supplementation increased knee extensor strength but did not affect muscle mass, anti-inflammatory markers, antioxidative markers, or EQ-5D scores.

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2005·Journal of clinical gastroenterology·Alla Melhem, Mirela Stern, Oren Shibolet, et al

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection via antioxidants: results of a phase I clinical trial.

RCTn = 50

Phase I clinical trial of 50 chronic HCV patients treated with a combination of oral and intravenous antioxidants for 20 weeks. The treatment was well tolerated and showed beneficial effects on liver enzymes, viral load, and histologic improvement in a subset of patients.

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2016·Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·J Y Park, K H Kim

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Schisandra chinensis for menopausal symptoms.

RCTn = 36Womens Health

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of Schisandra chinensis extract (BMO-30) for menopausal symptoms in women aged 40 to 70. The study found that the BMO-30 group had significantly lower Kupperman Index scores compared to the placebo group, indicating relief from menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating, and heart palpitations.

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2015·Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.)·Mi-young Song, Jing-hua Wang, Taewoong Eom, et al

Schisandra chinensis fruit modulates the gut microbiota composition in association with metabolic markers in obese women: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.

RCTn = 28Gut Health Nutrition

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 28 obese women investigated the effects of Schisandra chinensis fruit (SCF) on gut microbiota and metabolic markers over 12 weeks. The SCF group showed trends towards decreased waist circumference, fat mass, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides, but differences were not statistically significant compared to placebo. SCF modulated gut microbiota composition, with significant correlations between certain bacterial genera and metabolic parameters.

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2023·International journal of biological macromolecules·Jun Fu, Jixun Li, Yuzhen Sun, et al

In-depth investigation of the mechanisms of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide mitigating Alzheimer's disease rat via gut microbiota and feces metabolomics.

Animal studyBrain Health Gut Health

The study investigates the in vivo activity of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide (SCP2) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. SCP2 showed significant therapeutic effects, improving learning and memory, reducing neuroinflammation, and restoring intestinal barrier integrity. It modulated metabolites and gut microbiota, increasing short-chain fatty acids in AD rats.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2022·Frontiers in Pharmacology·Feng Zhang, Jianxiu Zhai, N. Weng, et al

A Comprehensive Review of the Main Lignan Components of Schisandra chinensis (North Wu Wei Zi) and Schisandra sphenanthera (South Wu Wei Zi) and the Lignan-Induced Drug-Drug Interactions Based on the Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 and P-Glycoprotein Activities

Review

This narrative review examines the main lignan components of Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera, focusing on their effects on cytochrome P450 and P-glycoprotein activities. It discusses the potential for drug-drug interactions due to these effects and explores the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of the major lignans.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2021·Journal of ethnopharmacology·Ke Yang, Jing Qiu, Zecheng Huang, et al

A comprehensive review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils.

Review

This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera. It highlights their traditional uses, major compounds, therapeutic effects, and potential drug interactions due to their inhibitory effects on CYP3A and P-gp.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2021·Antioxidants·D. Kopustinskiene, J. Bernatonienė

Antioxidant Effects of Schisandra chinensis Fruits and Their Active Constituents

ReviewBrain Health Heart Health Gut Health Skin Hair Health Longevity Inflammation Immunity

Narrative review of Schisandra chinensis fruits and their bioactive compounds, highlighting their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, and anti-aging effects. The review focuses on the antioxidant effects of S. chinensis fruit extract and its bioactive compounds in normal and pathological conditions.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2019·International journal of biological macromolecules·Xiaoyi Chen, R. Tang, Tingting Liu, et al

Physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity and immunological effects in vitro of polysaccharides from Schisandra sphenanthera and Schisandra chinensis.

In vitroImmunity Inflammation

The study compared polysaccharidic extracts from Schisandra sphenanthera and Schisandra chinensis for their antioxidant and immunological activities. SSP showed stronger antioxidant activity, while SCP had stronger effects on cell viability and immune-related activities.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2019·International journal of biological macromolecules·Yuli Qi, Li-xue Chen, Kun Gao, et al

Effects of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharides on rats with antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Animal studyGut Health Inflammation

The study investigated the effects of water-soluble polysaccharides from Schisandra chinensis on rats with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. WSP treatment improved gut health by decreasing inflammatory cell infiltration, adjusting cytokine levels, modifying gut microbial community, and increasing short chain fatty acids production.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2017·Scientific Reports·Tingxu Yan, Bosai He, Shutong Wan, et al

Antidepressant-like effects and cognitive enhancement of Schisandra chinensis in chronic unpredictable mild stress mice and its related mechanism

Animal studyMood Brain Health

The study evaluated the effects of Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE) on depression and cognitive impairment in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). SCE administration significantly prevented CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors and cognitive deficits, potentially through regulation of BDNF levels and signaling pathways in the hippocampus.

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2019·Nutrients·Adriana Nowak, Małgorzata Zakłos-Szyda, J. Błasiak, et al

Potential of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. in Human Health and Nutrition: A Review of Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Perspectives

ReviewImmunity Nutrition Skin Hair Health Joint Bone Health Physical Performance Brain Health Longevity

Narrative review of Schisandra chinensis (SCE) highlighting its potential health benefits, including anti-cancer, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-aging effects. SCE improves pancreatic functions, insulin secretion, and cognitive/behavioral functions, and is used in food technology as a preservative and flavor enhancer.

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2019·Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology·P. Zhu, Junkui Li, Xiuqiong Fu, et al

Schisandra fruits for the management of drug-induced liver injury in China: A review.

Review

This review summarizes literature on the use of Schisandra fruits (SF) and SF-derived drugs for managing drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in China. Clinical, cellular, and animal studies indicate SF's effectiveness in reducing liver enzyme levels and protecting against xenobiotic-induced liver injury through mechanisms like cytochrome P450 regulation, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation.

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