What is Schisandra chinensis(Turcz.)Baill. extracts? What is Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. extracts?

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Scientific Studies of Schisandra.

Schizandra Chinensis Extract.CAS.223748-53-6.Schizandra Berry Extract.Schizandra Berry extract.Schisandrins,Schizandrin A,Deoxyschisandrin.Schizandrin B,Deoxygomisin A.Schisandra Chinensis Baill extract.Schisandra Fruit Extract photo picture image Liver Protector Schisandra Fruit Extract:

 Schisandra Protecting the liver - Schisandra contains a number of compounds, including essential oils, numerous acids, and lignans. Lignans (schizandrin, deoxyschizandrin, gomisins, and pregomisin) are found in the seeds of the fruit and have a number of medicinal actions. Modern Chinese research suggests that lignans regenerate liver tissue damaged by harmful influences such as viral hepatitis and alcohol. Lignans lower blood levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), a marker for infective hepatitis and other liver disorders.

 Research into schisandra has focused largely on the lignans, which have a pronounced anti- hepatotoxic (liver-protective) action. Up to 30 different lignans have been identified in schisandra, which all contribute to this effect. Research from 1972 onward has reported the beneficial action of schisandra on the liver, and one clinical trial indicated a 76% success rate in treating patients with hepatitis, with no side effects being noted.

 Studies in animals and humans suggest that schisandra or its extracts might increase stamina and speed and improve mental concentration.

 Animal studies suggest schisandra may protect the liver from toxic damage, improve liver function, and stimulate liver cell regrowth. These findings led to its use in human trials for treating hepatitis. In a Chinese study of 189 people with hepatitis B, those given schisandra reportedly improved more rapidly than those given vitamins and liver extracts.

 In China, crude schisandra berries, their preparations, and individual constituents are widely used for progressive hepatic degeneration due to viral hepatitis or chemical challenge--indications for which schisandra is well documented.

 In the 1970s, trials in China on patients with hepatitis resulting from either viral infection or chemical exposure reported schisandra preparations lowered elevated levels of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), an enzyme found primarily in the liver that is released into the bloodstream as the result of liver damage. This research focused on the antihepatotoxic effects of lignans isolated from the unhydrolyzed fraction of the seed oil. At least 13 of these lignans have been reported to enhance the hepatic glutathione antioxidant system and have been reported to be beneficial in treating viral- and chemical-induced hepatitis and liver cancer.

 In 1986, Chinese researchers reported more than 5,000 cases of various types of hepatitis have been treated with schisandra preparations, resulting in the reduction of elevated liver enzymes. According to researchers, elevated SGPT values returned to normal in 75 percent of patients treated after 20 days of taking an unspecified schisandra preparation. In subjects with elevated SGPT attributed to drug toxicity, SGPT levels returned to normal in 83 out of 86 cases after one to four weeks of treatment.

 Schisandra lignans have been shown to reduce elevated liver enzymes in humans, even for those continuing on hepatotoxic drugs. Effects were usually seen 20-30 days following treatment. These studies led to a drug developed in China that was derived from schisandrin C and used to treat viral and drug-induced hepatitis. Extensive ani-mal and in vitro studies using whole schisandra fruit or schisandrin B have shown a protective effect for carbon tetrachloride and acetominophen poisoning, and a benefi-cial effect on the hepatic glutathione antioxidant system. Gomisin A was shown to have anticarcinogenic effects in rat livers, while both gomisin A and schisandrin B stimulated regeneration of liver tissue, synthesis of glycogen and protein, and activa-tion of cytochrome P450 in rats. Schisandra also protected rat hearts from ischemia-reperfusion injury comparable to vitamin E or N-acetyl-cysteine. Anti-inflammatory ef-fects have been studied only preliminarily. Temperature changes or development of edema in response to skin irritation were alleviated in humans or animals following treatment with schisandra.

 A controlled study was conducted in China with 189 chronic viral hepatitis B patients with elevated SGPT levels.8 Tablets prepared from an ethanol berry extract containing 20 mg of lignans and corresponding to 1.5 g crude herb were administered to 107 of these patients. The control group of 82 patients was given liver extracts and vitamins. Normal SGPT levels were observed in 73 patients, or 68 percent, in the schisandra-treated group, with a four-week average time needed for normalization. In the control group, normal SGPT levels were observed in 36 patients, or 44 percent, with an average recovery time of eight weeks. Improvements in SGPT were reported to be temporary in the schisandra group because levels tended to rise again 6 to 12 weeks after treatment was discontinued. Relapse rates were highest (46-69 percent) in this time among those with chronic persistent hepatitis, elderly patients, and in those receiving long courses of treatment with hepatotoxic drugs. Most patients responded to resumption of treatment with a return to their previously reduced SGPT levels.

 These reports and other studies led to the development of the antihepatotoxic drug dimethyl-4,4'-dimethyoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene dioxybiphenyl-2,2'-dicarbonate (DDB) derived from schisandrin lignans. DDB promotes a marked improvement in liver functions, including lowering elevated SGPT levels, bilirubin, and an alpha-fetal protein that results in subjective improvement of patient symptoms. This drug is widely used for treating chronic viral- and drug-induced hepatitis in China.
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 Schisandra Fruit Adaptogenic herb:

 Schisandra enjoys its widest use as an adaptogen. Studies on schisandra as an adap-togen have been performed since the 1950s in athletes, telegraphists, airline atten-dants and soldiers, though the early studies were not particularly well done. Doses of 350-6000 mg of whole berries or 2 g of extract increased stamina and recovery time after exercise, improved the ability to perform concentration-intense tasks, and de-creased fatigue. Numerous studies in race horses reported enhanced physical per-formance, faster recuperation and improved serum parameters. In rats, tolerance to heat and cold extremes was improved, whether schisandra was administered before or after insult. Sleeping time after administration of sedatives was also reduced.

 Adaptogenic herb - Research has shown that in common with ginseng, schisandra has adaptogenic properties, helping the body to adapt to stress.

 Schisandra's traditional use as a tonifier in TCM led to research for this effect, predominantly in the former Soviet Union, where it was defined as an "adaptogen." Although generally not an accepted category of therapeutic substances in modern medicine, adaptogens are substances believed to reinforce the nonspecific resistance of the body against physical, chemical, or biological stressors. Primarily, they are considered to enhance the body's general physiological adaptive responses.

 Schisandra's use as an adaptogenic tonic has been the subject of numerous studies since the 1950s. There is a significant amount of evidence, in conjunction with its long-standing traditional use as a tonic, that it is effective in this role. The majority of this earlier adaptogenic research, however, is marred by poor study design and insufficient data.

 The ability of an extract of the dried fruit to increase mental and physical activity in humans was reported in numerous studies conducted in the 1950s. In these studies, improvement was seen in activities that required concentration, coordination, and endurance. As an example, a study of telegraphists demonstrated that a dose of 5-10 mg/kg body weight schisandra was able to prevent tiredness and increase the correctness of telegrapahic transmission and reception by 22 percent.

 Other researchers reported the effect of schisandra on 59 airline flight attendants aged 22-29. The effects of nonstop seven- to nine-hour flights, as measured by several stress parameters, were evaluated before and after the flights with and without treatment with 0.5 g schisandra extract. Control subjects displayed an increase in heart rate from 76 beats per minute (bpm) to 88 bpm and blood pressure from 112 to 119, while those administered the schisandra preparation exhibited no changes.

 Schisandra appears to be free of toxicity when administered orally within its recommended dosage range. Individuals with high gastric acidity or peptic ulcers may experience increased acidity.Those with abnormally high intracranial pressure or with epilepsy should avoid use. Based on the limited information available, schisandra should be avoided or used with caution by pregnant women.

 In one mouse study, the lignan schizandrol A was reported to significantly prolong sedative-induced sleeping times, enhance the sedative effects of drugs, and antagonize the stimulatory effects of amphetamines and caffeine on spontaneous motor activity.

 In the United States, schisandra is popularly used as a general tonic for decreasing fatigue, enhancing physical performance, and promoting endurance due to its effects and reputation as an adaptogen. In China it is widely used for various liver conditions. Among TCM practitioners, it is similarly used as a tonic and is also prescribed according to the principles of TCM.

 Cautions and Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in the early stage of cough or rubella and in excessive internal heat with unrelieved exterior syndrome.

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citations1.What is Schisandra chinensis(Turcz.)Baill. extracts? What is Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. extracts?

last edit date:6th,May.2009.