Schisandra Berry

Schisandra berry ( Schisandra chinensis or Schisandra sphenanthera ) is a deciduous climbing vine native to East Asia. The dried fruit has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

• The berry is prized for its “five‑flavor” profile (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent).
• It is primarily employed as an adaptogenic herb.
• It helps the body tolerate physical, chemical, or emotional stress.
• It supports liver and metabolic health.

• Hepatoprotection: Clinical and animal studies show that schisandra lignans (e.g., schisandrin B) reduce liver enzyme elevations and protect against toxin‑induced injury, likely via antioxidant and Nrf2‑mediated pathways.
• Cognitive support: Randomized trials in older adults demonstrate modest improvements in attention and short‑term memory, attributed to enhanced mitochondrial function and reduced oxidative stress in the brain.
• Stress resilience: Adaptogenic effects have been documented in controlled stress‑challenge studies, where participants reported lower perceived fatigue and improved mood scores.
• Physical performance: Animal models and limited human data indicate increased endurance and reduced exercise‑induced lactate, suggesting improved energy metabolism.
• Metabolic regulation: Schisandra extracts improve insulin sensitivity and lower fasting glucose in rodent models; modest reductions in HbA1c have been observed in small human trials.

• Schisandra’s bioactivity is driven chiefly by dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans (schisandrin, schisandrin B, gomisin A, etc.).
• These compounds activate the Nrf2‑Keap1 pathway, up‑regulating antioxidant enzymes (e.g., HO‑1, SOD, catalase) and enhancing cellular detoxification.
• Lignans also modulate the HPA‑axis by influencing cortisol‑binding globulin and glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity, which underlies its adaptogenic effect.
• In the liver, they inhibit CYP2E1 and up‑regulate PPAR‑α, promoting fatty‑acid oxidation and reducing lipid accumulation.
• Neuroprotective actions arise from mitochondrial protection (maintaining membrane potential, reducing ROS) and modulation of BDNF signaling, supporting synaptic plasticity.
• Schisandra influences the PI3K/Akt and AMPK pathways, contributing to improved glucose uptake and insulin signaling.

• The principal active constituents are dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans such as schisandrin (C₁₈H₂₄O₆, IUPAC: (4S,7R)-4,5-dimethoxy-7-(1‑hydroxy-2‑propyl)‑2,6,8‑trimethyl‑1‑oxabicyclo[5.3.0]oct-2‑ene‑3‑one).
• Schisandrin B (C₂₁H₂₈O₆) and gomisin A (C₂₁H₂₈O₇) share a fused cyclooctadiene core with multiple methoxy and hydroxyl groups, conferring lipophilicity that facilitates cellular membrane penetration.
• Their log P values (≈ 3–4) enable moderate oral bioavailability.
• Lignans are stable under acidic pH but susceptible to oxidation; thus, extracts are often stabilized with antioxidants (e.g., vitamin E) and stored under nitrogen.

• Schisandra berries are harvested primarily in the Russian Far East, China (particularly Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces), and Korea.
• Commercial supplements usually use a 30‑70 % lignan‑rich ethanol or supercritical CO₂ extract, preserving both lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents.
• Wild‑harvested fruit can vary in lignan content; cultivated varieties (e.g., “Mongolian” and “Chinese” cultivars) are cultivated under controlled conditions to standardize potency.
• Quality criteria include:
  • (i) ≥ 30 % lignans (verified by HPLC)
  • (ii) low heavy‑metal and pesticide residues (below USP limits)
  • (iii) third‑party testing for microbial contamination.
• Standardized extracts from reputable GMP‑certified manufacturers ensure consistent dosing and reduce variability compared with raw powder.