Phytotherapeutic Aspects of the Diseases of the Circulatory System7. Schisandra chinensis (TURCZ.) BAILL.: Its Constituents and Their Biological Activity

Overview

Schisandra chinensis (TURCZ.) BAILL., originally a Japanese-Manchurian endemite, yields a vegetable drug (Schisandrae fructus) with a number of very utilizable therapeutic effects. The paperreports the results of phytochemical and pharmacological-toxicological studies approximately fromthe year 1990 carried out both with the drug and, in particular, the principal isolated lignans of thedibenzo[a,c]cyclooctadiene type. The results confirm the validity of the historical use of the drug, inparticular as a hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and antioxidative agent. It is obvious that a verypositive therapeutic effect based on the use of a complex mixture of its principal constituents becausetheir biological effects are complementary and potentiate each other. At the same time, some lignans(e.g. gomisin A, gomisin N) are interesting as new prospective medicines.

Key words:
Schisandra chinensis - Schisandrae fructus -constituents - lignans of dibenzo[a,c]cyclooctadiene type - biological activity - toxicological study