Schisandra chinensis

Schisandra chinensis (also known as “five‑flavor berry”) is a deciduous woody vine native to the forests of China, Russia, and Korea. Its ripe berries are harvested for a rich mix of lignans, flavonoids, and organic acids, which are traditionally used as an adaptogenic botanical to support stress resilience, liver health, and overall vitality.

• Principal Lignans: The principal bioactive lignans are schisandrin (C₂₁H₂₈O₅, MW 352.45 g mol⁻¹) and schisandrin B (C₂₁H₂₈O₅, same formula but distinct stereochemistry).
• IUPAC Name: The IUPAC name for schisandrin is (3R,5S,6R,7S,9R,10S)-3,5,6,7,9,10‑hexahydro‑1‑hydroxy‑3‑(2‑hydroxymethyl‑4‑methoxy‑phenyl)‑1‑benzofuran‑5‑yl‑2‑methoxy‑6‑phenyl‑7‑[2‑(1‑hydroxy‑2‑propen-1‑yl)phenyl]‑4‑methyl‑2‑propanoic acid (a simplified representation; exact IUPAC varies among lignans).
• Structural Features: Key structural features include a dibenzocyclooctadiene core with two methoxy groups and a hydroxyl‑rich side chain, conferring high lipophilicity and membrane-crossing ability.
• Other Compounds: The extracts also contain flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol) and organic acids (schisandronic acid).
• Extraction Considerations: The lignans are stable under low‑temperature extraction but degrade under prolonged heat, influencing extraction method choice.

• Primary Sources: Commercial Schisandra is primarily harvested from wild or cultivated vines in the Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces of China, where climate and soil produce the highest lignan content.
• Sustainable Sourcing: Sustainable sourcing now includes certified organic farms in the Russian Far East and Korea.
• Extraction Method: Extraction is typically performed with 70 % ethanol under low‑temperature (≤ 45 °C) conditions to preserve lignans, followed by spray‑drying to produce a powder standardized to 5‑10 % total lignans.
• Quality Control: High‑quality supplements undergo HPLC‑based fingerprinting to confirm lignan profile, heavy‑metal testing (< 10 ppb lead), and pesticide screening.
• Recommendations: Look for GMP‑certified manufacturers that provide third‑party certificates of analysis (COA) confirming both potency and absence of contaminants.