Research Progress on Pharmacological Effects of Key Pharmacodynamic Material Basis Components of Schisandrae chinensis Fructus.

Abstract

Schisandra chinensis Baill. and its dried ripe fruit, Schisandrae chinensis Fructus, are typical medicinal and edible resources in traditional Chinese medicine. Modern studies indicate that this medicinal material contains lignans, polysaccharides, volatile oils, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and other constituents, among which lignans are the most characteristic pharmacodynamic material basis. Based on the literature covered in this review, this paper summarizes the main bioactive components and structural features of S. chinensis and reviews the pharmacological evidence for antioxidation, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-tumor activity, sedative-hypnotic effects, hepatoprotection, neuroprotection, and metabolic regulation. The currently direct compound-specific evidence is relatively clearer for schisandrin B, schisandrol A/B, and schisanhenol in selected experimental models, whereas several other reported activities still rely mainly on extract-level studies, network pharmacology, or indirect inference. This review aims to provide an evidence-based reference for clarifying the pharmacodynamic material basis, improving quality evaluation, and guiding further mechanistic and clinical studies of S. chinensis Fructus.