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

Abstract

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (SCE) is a plant with high potential for beneficial health effects, confirmed by molecular studies. Its constituents exert anti-cancer effects through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, as well as inhibition of invasion and metastasis in cancer cell lines and experimental animals. SCE displays antimicrobial effects against several pathogenic strains. It has anti-diabetic potential, supported by hypoglycemic activity. A diet rich in SCE improves pancreatic functions, stimulates insulin secretion, and reduces complications in diabetic animals. SCE prevents lipid accumulation and differentiation of preadipocytes, indicating its anti-obesity potential. SCE exerts a protective effect against skin photoaging, osteoarthritis, sarcopenia, senescence, and mitochondrial dysfunction, and improves physical endurance and cognitive/behavioural functions, which can be linked with its general anti-aging potency. In food technology, SCE is applied as a preservative, and as an additive to increase the flavour, taste, and nutritional value of food. In summary, SCE displays a variety of beneficial health effects, with no side effects. Further research is needed to determine the molecular mechanisms of SCE action. First, the constituents responsible for its beneficial effects should be isolated and identified, and recommended as preventative nutritional additives, or considered as therapeutics.

Schisandra Extract and Ascorbic Acid Synergistically Enhance Cognition in Mice through Modulation of Mitochondrial Respiration

“…In the present study, we analyzed the beneficial effects of SCE and AA on mitochondrial respiration and behavior. SCE is enriched for a number of bioactive ingredients, including gomisin and schisandrin, as confirmed by HPLC ( Figure S1), and is known to enhance cognitive performance and provide neuroprotection [10,13,29]. AA is present in various plants and is used as a dietary supplement.…”

“…Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE) has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects [10], including amelioration of cognitive deficits in a mouse model of chronic, unpredictable mild stress [11], and improvement of synaptic morphology and plasticity in ovariectomized mice [12]; it also protects against oxidative stress in hepatocytes [13]. Supplementation with ascorbic acid (AA), a water-soluble vitamin C found in plants, has been reported to prevent impairment of synaptic plasticity and hippocampal LTP attributable to oxidative damage induced by lead, a neurotoxic metal [14].…”

“…Mixtures of bioactive natural plant extract or nutrients are known to produce synergistic effects [15,16]. Because SCE and its metabolites can induce ROS in cells [10,17] and AA is known as an antioxidant [18,19], combining SCE with AA would have the benefit of reducing the oxidative stress of ROS which is increased by enhancement of mitochondrial respiration. In the present study, we demonstrated that a mixture of the natural compounds SCE and AA acted through modulation of mitochondria-the main contributors to intracellular ATP production-to synergistically enhance memory storage and recognition memory in association with an increase in the expression of synaptic plasticity-regulating proteins.…”

Antioxidative activities of volatile and non‐volatile extracts of Schisandra chinensis Baill fruit

“…Schisandra chinensis Baill (Botanical family name: Schisandraceae), called “omija” which means five‐flavored fruit in Korea, is a pharmacological plant mainly grown in Korea, China, Japan, and Russia 3 . Omija ( S chinensis ) fruit has been used as a medicinal plant for liver damage in China over several centuries 3‐5 . In Korea, it is consumed not only as a medicine but also as tea or alcoholic beverages.…”

“…In Korea, it is consumed not only as a medicine but also as tea or alcoholic beverages. A previous study has reported that S chinensis fruit has the antioxidative activity 3,5 . Lignan compounds, such as schizandrin, gomisin A, and gomisin N, have been identified as the major component which exhibit antioxidative activity 6 .…”