Pharmacodynamic effects and molecular mechanisms of lignans from Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.), a current review

Fruit of Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.) (S. chinensis) is a traditional herbal medicine widely used in China, Korea, and many other east Asian countries. At present, S. chinensis commonly forms Chinese medicinal formulae with other herbal medicines to treat liver disease and neurological disease in clinical. Modern researches indicated that lignans were the main active ingredients of S. chinensis with high content and novel dibenzocyclooctadiene skeletal structure, exhibited considerable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Additionally, some of these lignans also showed certain potentials in anti-cancer, anti-fibrosis, and other effects. In the current review, we summarize literature reported lignans from S. chinensis in the past five years, and highlight the molecular mechanisms of lignans in exerting their biological functions. Also, we point out some deficiencies of existing researches and discuss the future direction of lignans study.