Inhibitory effect of benzocaine from Schisandra chinensis on Alternaria alternata.

The clinical effects of Schisandra chinensis against human disease are well-documented; however, studies on its application in controlling plant pathogens are limited. Here, we investigated its inhibitory effect on the growth of Alternaria alternata, a fungus which causes significant post-harvest losses on apples, known as black spot disease. S. chinensis fruit extract exhibited strong inhibitory effects on the growth of A. alternata with an EC50 of 1882.00 mg/L. There were 157 compounds identified in the extract by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, where benzocaine constituted 14.19% of the extract. Antifungal experiments showed that the inhibitory activity of benzocaine on A. alternata was 43.77-fold higher than the crude extract. The application of benzocaine before and after A. alternata inoculation on apples prevented the pathogen infection and led to mycelial distortion according to scanning electron microscopy. Transcriptome analysis revealed that there were 4226 genes differentially expressed between treated and untreated A. alternata-infected apples with benzocaine. Metabolomics analysis led to the identification of 155 metabolites. Correlation analysis between the transcriptome and metabolome revealed that benzocaine may inhibit A. alternata growth via the beta-alanine metabolic pathway. Overall, S. chinensis extract and benzocaine are environmentally friendly plant-based fungicides with potential to control A. alternata.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene Lignans from Schisandra chinensis with Anti-Inflammatory Effects.

Schisandra chinensis (Schisandraceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Under the name Wu Wei Zi, it is used to treat many diseases, especially as a stimulant, adaptogen, and hepatoprotective. Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans are the main compounds responsible for the effect of S. chinensis. As a part of ongoing studies to identify and evaluate anti-inflammatory natural compounds, we isolated a series of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans and evaluated their biological activity. Furthermore, we isolated new sesquiterpene 7,7-dimethyl-11-methylidenespiro[5.5]undec-2-ene-3-carboxylic acid. Selected dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans were tested to assess their anti-inflammatory potential in LPS-stimulated monocytes by monitoring their anti-NF-κB activity, antioxidant activity in CAA assay, and their effect on gap junction intercellular communication in WB-ras cells. Some S. chinensis lignans showed antioxidant activity in CAA mode and affected the gap junction intercellular communication. The anti-inflammatory activity was proven for (-)-gomisin N, (+)-γ-schisandrin, rubrisandrin A, and (-)-gomisin J.

Establishment of cluster of differentiation 20 immobilized cell membrane chromatography for the screening of active antitumor components in traditional Chinese medicine.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors occurring in B or T lymphocytes, and no small molecule-positive drugs to treat NHL have been marketed. Cluster of differentiation 20 (CD20) is an important molecule regulating signaling for the life and differentiation of B lymphocytes and possesses the characteristics of a drug target for treating NHL. 2-Methoxyestradiol induces apoptosis in lymphoma Raji cells and CD20 protein is highly expressed by Raji lymphoma cells. Therefore, in this study, a CD20-SNAP-tag/CMC model was developed to validate the interaction of 2-methoxyestradiol with CD20. 2-Methoxyestradiol was used as a small molecule control compound, and the system was validated for good applicability. The cell membrane chromatography model was combined with high-performance liquid chromatography ion trap time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (HPLC-IT-TOF-MS) in a two-dimensional system to successfully identify, analyze, and characterize the potential active compounds of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. extract and Lysionotus pauciflorus Maxim. extract, including Schisandrin A, Schizandrol A, Schizandrol B, Schisantherin B, and Nevadensin, which can act on CD20 receptors. The five potential active compounds were analyzed by non-linear chromatography. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of their interaction with CD20 were also analyzed, and the mode of interaction was simulated by molecular docking. Their inhibitory effects on lymphoma cell growth were assessed using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Nevadensin and Schizandrin A were able to induce apoptosis in Raji cells within a certain concentration range. In conclusion, the present experiments provide some bases for improving NHL treatment and developing small molecule lead compounds targeting CD20 with low toxicity and high specificity.

Effect of pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductases on biosynthesis of lignans with substrate selectivity in Schisandra chinensis.

Schisandra lignans are the main bioactive compounds found in Schisandra chinensis fruits, such as schisandrol lignans and schisandrin lignans, which play important roles in organ protection or other clinical roles. Pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductase (PLR) plays a pivotal role in plant lignan biosynthesis, however, limited research has been conducted on S. chinensis PLR to date. This study identified five genes as ScPLR, successfully cloned their coding sequences, and elucidated their catalytic capabilities. ScPLR3-5 could recognize both pinoresinol and lariciresinol as substrates, and convert them into lariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol, respectively, while ScPLR2 exclusively catalyzed the conversion of (+)-pinoresinol into (+)-lariciresinol. Transcript-metabolite correlation analysis indicated that ScPLR2 exhibited unique properties that differed from the other members. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that Phe271 and Leu40 in the substrate binding motif were crucial for the catalytic activity of ScPLR2. This study serves as a foundation for understanding the essential enzymes involved in schisandra lignan biosynthesis.

Zhumian Granules improves PCPA-induced insomnia by regulating the expression level of neurotransmitters and reducing neuronal apoptosis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sleep problems, according to Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) philosophy, are attributed to the imbalance between yin and yang. Zhumian Granules, also known as Sleep-aid Granules or ZG, are a traditional Chinese herbal remedy specifically designed to alleviate insomnia. This formula consists of many components, including Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), and other medicinal plants. According to the pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Wu Wei Zi and Suan Zao Ren have the ability to relax the mind and promote sleep. When taken together, they may balance the opposing forces of yin and yang. Therefore, ZG may potentially be used as a therapeutic treatment for insomnia. AIM OF THE STUDY: This research was specifically developed to establish a strong empirical basis for the subsequent advancement and utilization of ZG in the management of insomnia. This research aimed to gather empirical data to support the effectiveness of ZG, thereby providing useful insights into its potential therapeutic advantages for persons with insomnia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilized Zhumian Granules (ZG), a traditional Chinese herbal decoction, to examine its sedative and hypnotic effects on mice with PCPA-induced insomnia. The effects were assessed using the pentobarbital-induced sleep test (PIST), Morris water maze test (MWM), and autonomic activity test. The levels of neurotransmitters in each group of mice were evaluated using UPLC-QQQ-MS. The impact of ZG on the quantity and structure of hippocampal neurons was seen in brain tissue slices using immunofluorescence labeling. RESULTS: ZG was shown to possess active sedative properties, effectively lowering the distance of movement and lengthening the duration of sleep. ZG mitigated the sleeplessness effects of PCPA by elevating the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), while reducing the levels of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE), as well as decreasing neuronal death. CONCLUSIONS: This research confirmed the sedative and hypnotic properties of ZG and elucidated its probable mechanism involving neurotransmitters.

Schisandrin B from Schisandra chinensis alleviated pain via glycine receptors, Nav1.7 channels and Cav2.2 channels.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Schisandra chinensis, the dried and ripe fruit of the magnolia family plant Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, was commonly used in traditional analgesic prescription. Studies have shown that the extract of Schisandra chinensis (SC) displayed analgesic activity. However, the analgesic active component and the exact mechanisms have yet to be revealed. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was to investigate the anti-nociceptive constituent of Schisandra chinensis, assess its analgesic effect, and explore the potential molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of a series of well-recognized compounds from SC on glycine receptors were investigated. The analgesic effect of the identified compound was evaluated in three pain models. Mechanistic studies were performed using patch clamp technique on various targets expressed in recombinant cells. These targets included glycine receptors, Nav1.7 sodium channels, Cav2.2 calcium channels et al. Meanwhile, primary cultured spinal dorsal horn (SDH) neurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were also utilized. RESULTS: Schisandrin B (SchB) was a positive allosteric modulator of glycine receptors in spinal dorsal horn neurons. The EC50 of SchB on glycine receptors in spinal dorsal horn neurons was 2.94 ± 0.28 µM. In three pain models, the analgesic effect of SchB was comparable to that of indomethacin at the same dose. Besides, SchB rescued PGE2-induced suppression of α3 GlyR activity and alleviated persistent pain. Notably, SchB could also potently decrease the frequency of action potentials and inhibit sodium and calcium channels in DRG neurons. Consistent with the data from DRG neurons, SchB was also found to significantly block Nav1.7 sodium channels and Cav2.2 channels in recombinant cells. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that, Schisandrin B, the primary lignan component of Schisandra chinensis, may exert its analgesic effect by acting on multiple ion channels, including glycine receptors, Nav1.7 channels, and Cav2.2 channels.

The extraction, purification, structural features, bioactivities, and applications of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharides: A review.

Schisandra chinensis, as a famous medicinal and food homologous plant, has a long history of medicinal and dietary therapy. It has the functions of nourishing the kidney, calming the heart, tranquilising the mind, tonifying Qi and producing fluid to relieve mental stress, based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Accumulating evidence has shown that S. chinensis polysaccharides (SCPs) are one of the most important bioactive macromolecules and exhibit diverse biological activities in vitro and in vivo, including neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, antitumour and anti-inflammatory activities, etc. This review aims to thoroughly review the recent advances in the extraction and purification methods, structural features, biological activities and structure-activity relationships, potential applications and quality assessment of SCPs, and further highlight the therapeutic potentials and health functions of SCPs in the fields of therapeutic agents and functional food development. Future insights and challenges of SCPs were also critically discussed. Overall, the present review provides a theoretical overview for the further development and utilization of S. chinensis polysaccharides in the health food and pharmaceutical fields.

Application of three-dimensional material CZIF-8/CS-MS as adsorbents for the determination of plant growth regulators in Schisandra chinensis.

In this study, we employed a melamine sponge (MS) as the skeleton material and utilized carbonized ZIF-8 (CZIF-8) and chitosan (CS) as the raw materials to prepare CZIF-8/CS-MS, a novel material featuring a three-dimensional interconnected porous network. The resulting CZIF-8/CS-MS material possesses a unique porous structure, significant specific surface area and abundant active sites. These characteristics make CZIF-8/CS-MS a promising absorbent for selective purification of plant growth regulators (PGRs) including 1-naphthlcetic acid (NAA), naphthoxyacetic acid (NOA), 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). After optimizing the extraction conditions, excellent linearity (r > 0.9994) was observed within a wide linear range of 1-100 ng/mL using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry. The detection limits (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were found to be in the range of 0.013-0.154 ng/mL and 0.044-0.515 ng/mL, respectively. Additionally, the relative recovery of Schisandra chinensis fruit samples was determined to be 89.7-99.4 %, with a relative standard deviation (RSDs) of ≤ 8.4 % (n = 3). Compared to other methods, this approach offers a multitude of benefits, which include but are not limited to exceptional sensitivity, reduced sample volume requirements, low LODs, a comparable linear range, and high reproducibility. The findings of this study pave the way for exploring novel functionalized sponge columns, which leverage the integration of nano-sorbent materials and coating agents, for the purpose of analyzing PGRs within intricate matrix samples.

Extraction, purification, structural characterization, and bioactivities of the genus Schisandra polysaccharides: A review.

The genus Schisandra, a member of the Magnoliaceae family, is a well-known tonic traditional Chinese medicine with a long history of traditional medicinal and functional food used in China. Polysaccharides are one of its main active constituents, which have a wide range of bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotection, anti-diabetes, hepatoprotection, immunomodulation, and anti-fatigue. In this paper, we review the extraction, isolation, purification, structural characterization, bioactivities, as well as structure-activity relationship of polysaccharides from the genus Schisandra. In conclusion, we hope that this review could provide reference for the subsequent research on structural, bioactivities, development and application of the genus Schisandra polysaccharides.

Extraction and characterization of polysaccharides from Schisandra sphenanthera fruit by Lactobacillus plantarum CICC 23121-assisted fermentation.

Improving the yield of polysaccharides extracted from Schisandra sphenanthera is a major challenge in traditional Chinese medicinal plants. In this study, we investigated the potential of Lactobacillus plantarum CICC 23121-assisted fermentation as an extraction tool for S. sphenanthera polysaccharides (SSP). We observed that 11.12 ± 0.28 % of polysaccharides were extracted from S. sphenanthera using strain CICC 23121 -assisted fermentation (F-SSP), which was 53.38 % higher than that using hot water extraction (NF-SSP). The optimized parameters were a fermentation time of 15.5 h, substrate concentration of 4 %, and inoculum size of 3 %. Lactic acid produced by strain CICC 23121 increased the release of intracellular polysaccharides by breaking down cell walls. Compared to NF-SSP, F-SSP contained higher and lower total carbohydrate and protein contents, respectively, and its monosaccharide composition was the same as that of NF-SSP; however, their distributions were different. F-SSP had a higher molecular weight, better aqueous stability, and looser surface morphology, and strain CICC 23121-assisted fermentation did not change the molecular structure of SSP. Both NF-SSP and F-SSP showed the potential to regulate human intestinal microflora. Our findings revealed that strain CICC 23121-assisted fermentation is an efficient method for extracting S. sphenanthera polysaccharides without affecting their physicochemical and bioactive properties.

Effect of vinegar steaming on the composition and structure of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide and its anti-colitis activity.

In this study, infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) technology were applied to systematically explain the Schisandra chinensis's polysaccharide transformation in configuration, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) activity after vinegar processing. Scanning electron microscopic results showed that the appearance of S. chinensis polysaccharide changed significantly after steaming with vinegar. The MALDI-TOF-MS results showed that the mass spectra of raw S. chinensis polysaccharides (RSCP) were slightly lower than those of vinegar-processed S. chinensis polysaccharides (VSCP). The RSCP showed higher peaks at m/z 1350.790, 2016.796, and 2665.985, all with left-skewed distribution, and the molecular weights were concentrated in the range of 1300-3100, with no higher peak above m/z 5000. The VSCPs showed a whole band below m/z 3000, with m/z 1021.096 being the highest peak, and the intensity decreased with the increase of m/z. In addition, compared to RSCPs, VSCPs can significantly increase the content of intestinal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This study showed that the apparent morphology and molecular weight of S. chinensis's polysaccharides significantly changed after steaming with vinegar. These changes directly affect its anti-UC effect significantly, and its mechanism is closely related to improving the structure and diversity of gut microbiota and SCFA metabolism.

Schisandrin A in Schisandra chinensis Upregulates the LDL Receptor by Inhibiting PCSK9 Protein Stabilization in Steatotic Model.

Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE) protects against hypocholesterolemia by inhibiting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) protein stabilization. We hypothesized that the hypocholesterolemic activity of SCE can be attributable to upregulation of the PCSK9 inhibition-associated low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Male mice were fed a low-fat diet or a Western diet (WD) containing SCE at 1% for 12 weeks. WD increased final body weight and blood LDL cholesterol levels as well as alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase expression. However, SCE supplementation significantly attenuated the increase in blood markers caused by WD. SCE also attenuated WD-mediated increases in hepatic LDLR protein expression in the obese mice. In addition, SCE increased LDLR protein expression and attenuated cellular PCSK9 levels in HepG2 cells supplemented with delipidated serum (DLPS). Non-toxic concentrations of schisandrin A (SA), one of the active components of SCE, significantly increased LDLR expression and tended to decrease PCSK9 protein levels in DLPS-treated HepG2 cells. High levels of SA-mediated PCSK9 attenuation was not attributable to reduced PCSK9 gene expression, but was associated with free PCSK9 protein degradation in this cell model. Our findings show that PCSK9 secretion can be significantly reduced by SA treatment, contributing to reductions in free cholesterol levels.

A comprehensive study of Ephedra sinica Stapf-Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill herb pair on airway protection in asthma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ephedra sinica Stapf (Mahuang) and Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (Wuweizi) are commonly utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cough and asthma. The synergistic effect of Mahuang-Wuweizi herb pair enhances their efficacy in alleviating respiratory symptoms, making them extensively employed in the management of respiratory disorders. Although previous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of Mahuang-Wuweizi in pulmonary fibrosis, the precise mechanism underlying their effectiveness against asthma remains elusive. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism underlying the preventive and therapeutic effects of Mahuang-Wuweizi herb pair on asthma progression, focusing on airway inflammation and airway remodeling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active constituents and potential mechanisms of Mahuang-Wuweizi in the management of asthma were elucidated through network pharmacology analysis. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to detect the main components of Mahuang-Wuweizi decoction. A rat model of bronchial asthma was established, and the effects of Mahuang-Wuweizi were investigated using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting (WB), and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: The results of network pharmacological prediction showed that Mahuang had 22 active components and Wuweizi had 8 active components, with 225 potential targets. 1159 targets associated with asthma and 115 targets that overlap between drugs and diseases were identified. These include interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Tumor Protein 53, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), as well as other essential targets. Additionally, there is a potential correlation between asthma and Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Protein Kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway, calcium ion channels, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and other signaling pathways. The animal experiment results demonstrated that treatment with Mahuang and Wuweizi, in comparison to the model group, exhibited improvements in lung tissue pathological injury, reduction in collagen fiber accumulation around the airway and proliferation of airway smooth muscle, decrease in concentration levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1ß in lung tissue, as well as alleviation of airway inflammation. Furthermore, Mahuang and Wuweizi suppressed the expression of phospholipase C (PLC), transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1), myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), NF-κB P65 protein in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized rat lung tissue and downregulated the mRNA expression of PLC, TRPC1, PI3K, AKT, NF-κB P65 in asthmatic rats. These findings were consistent with network pharmacological analysis. CONCLUSION: The results show that the synergistic interaction between Mahuang and Wuweizi occur, and they can effectively reduce airway remodeling and airway inflammation induced by inhaling OVA in bronchial asthma rats by inhibiting the expression of PLC/TRPC1/PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, Mahuang and Wuweizi may be potential drugs to treat asthma.

The protective effect of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. polysaccharide on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice via the modulation of gut microbiota and inhibition of NF-κB activation.

BACKGROUND: Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, a fruit utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of medical application. It has been used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill polysaccharide (SACP) is an important biologically active ingredient that has been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects including immune regulation and anti-oxidative properties. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complicated gastrointestinal inflammatory disease. We explore the protective effect of SACP against UC. RESULTS: Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill polysaccharide significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI) and levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in colonic tissue. It also alleviated weight loss and histopathological damage of mice. The expression of MUC2 and occludin proteins was increased and the barrier function of the colonic mucosa was enhanced by SACP treatment. NF-κB pathway activation was also inhibited and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was decreased whereas anti-inflammatory cytokines were increased. 16SrDNA sequencing of fecal flora showed that SACP increased the abundance of Muribaculaceaeunclassified, LachnospiraceaeNK4A136group and reduced the abundance of Bacteroides and Erysipelatoclostridium. CONCLUSION: Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill polysaccharide can protect against Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Down-regulation of human papillomavirus E6 oncogene and antiproliferative effect of Schisandra chinensis and Pueraria lobata natural extracts on Hela cell line.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women that continues to be a public health problem worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is closely related as the causative agent of almost all cases of cervical cancer. Currently, there is no effective treatment for the persistence of HPV. Although vaccines have shown promising results in recent years, they are still a costly strategy for developing countries and have no therapeutic effect on existing infections, which is why the need arises to search for new strategies that can be used in treatment, suppressing oncogenic HPV and disease progression. Extracts of Schisandra Chinensis and Pueraria lobata have been used in traditional medicine, and it has been shown in recent years that some of their bioactive compounds have pharmacological, antioxidant, antitumor, apoptotic, and proliferation effects in HPV-positive cells. However, its mechanism of action has yet to be fully explored. AIM OF THE STUDY: The following study aimed to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and potential antiproliferative and viral oncogene effects of natural extracts of S. chinensis and P. lobata on HPV-18 positive cervical cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HPV-18-positive HeLa cells were treated for 24 and 48 h with the ethanolic extracts of S chinensis and P. lobata. Subsequently, cell viability was evaluated using the resazurin method, the effect on the cell cycle of the extracts (1.0, 10, and 100 µg/mL) was measured by flow cytometry, the gene of expression of the E6/E7, P53, BCL-2, and E2F-1 were determined by RT-PCR and the protein expression of p53, Ki-67, x|and Bcl-2 by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, the chemical characterization of the two extracts was carried out using LC-MS, and the total phenolics content (TPC), Total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging capacity were determined. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis U test with GraphPad Prism 6 software. RESULTS: The natural extracts of Schisandra chinensis and Pueraria lobata induced down-regulation of E6 HPV oncogene (p<0.05) and a strong up-regulation of P53 (p<0.05), E2F-1 (p<0.05), and Bcl-2 (p<0.05) gene expression. Simultaneously, the natural extracts tend to increase the p53 protein levels and arrest the cell cycle of HeLa in the G1/S phase (p<0.05). Investigated extracts were characterized by the occurrence of bioactive lignans and isoflavones in S. chinensis and P. lobata, respectively. CONCLUSION: The extracts of S. chinensis and P. lobata within their chemical characterization mainly present lignan and isoflavone-type compounds, which are probably responsible for inhibiting the expression of the HPV E6 oncogene and inducing an increase in the expression of p53, Bcl -2 and E2F-1 producing cell cycle detection in S phase in HeLa cells. Therefore, these extracts are good candidates to continue studying their antiviral and antiproliferative potential in cells transformed by HPV.

Natural antibacterial membranes prepared using Schisandra chinensis extracts and polyvinyl alcohol in an environment-friendly manner.

Foodborne pathogens can cause food spoilage and lead to food safety issues. In recent years, food packaging has received a lot of attention. Traditional packaging membranes are non-biodegradable and remain in the environment for a long time. In this study, natural antimicrobial substances were extracted from Schisandra chinensis by a green extraction process using distilled water as the solvent, and the effects of different treatment on the antimicrobial activity of the extract were compared. At the same time, four types of Schisandra chinensis antimicrobial membranes were prepared using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the substrate. The whole extraction and membrane preparation process did not involve organic solvents, making the process green and environment friendly. Material characterization included inverted biological microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile strength test, pore size measurement, water uptake test, etc. Among them, no extract particles were observed with the naked eye on the surfaces of MⅡ and MⅣ. MⅡ has a uniformly transparent, nearly colorless morphology and is the most tensile. MⅣ surface is flat and smooth, the microstructure is dense and uniform. At the same time, the four types of membranes were tested against common pathogenic bacteria for 12 h, and the OD600 trend revealed the excellent antimicrobial activity of the membranes against S. aureus, MRSA, E. coli, and L. monocytogenes. The membranes could also be reused at least once. This study provides a new idea for preparing natural plant-based antimicrobial membranes.

Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Regulation Mechanism Underlying the Muscle Quality Effect of Dietary Schisandra chinensis in Triploid Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus).

Schisandra chinensis (sc) is generally demonstrated to improve antioxidant and immune functions in mammal. The present study through physiological and transcriptome analysis revealed alterations in muscle metabolisms of triploid crucian carp (Carassius auratus) cultured at different concentrations of S. chinensis diets (sc0, sc0.125%, sc0.25%, sc0.5%, sc1%, sc2%) after 8 weeks. The serum antioxidant enzyme activities analysis showed that dietary S. chinensis could reduce oxidative stress and increase organismic antioxidant capacity. Meanwhile, the detected results of muscle components presented that the amino acids and two flavor nucleotides of GMP and IMP significantly elevated while muscle crude lipid significantly reduced in S. chinensis feeding groups. In addition, springiness, chewiness, and fiber density in S. chinensis feeding groups muscle were significantly upregulated while muscle fiber diameter and area showed an opposite trend. By comparative transcriptome analysis of the muscles, functional enrichments of differentially expressed genes showed that multiple terms were related to purine metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and peroxisome. Finally, some key hub genes such as egln, gst, ggct, su1b, pi3kr4, myh9, lpl, gcdh, mylk, and col4a were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Taken together, our findings facilitate the understanding of the molecular basis underlying the muscle quality effect of dietary S. chinensis in triploid crucian carp, which provides valuable insights into the nutritional strategies of the aquaculture industry.

[Identification of Q-markers for Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus in treating drug-induced liver injury based on network pharmacology, fingerprint and quantitative analysis].

This study aims to establish the ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) fingerprint and multi-indicator quantitative analysis method for Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus(SSF) and to screen out the potential quality markers(Q-markers) of hepatoprotection based on network pharmacology. The similarity analysis was performed using the Chinese Medicine Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System, which showed that the similarity of the fingerprints of 15 samples from different regions ranged from 0.981 to 0.998. Eighteen common components were identified, from which 3 differential components were selected by cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The "component-target-pathway" network was built to predict the core components related to the hepatoprotective effects. Fourteen core components were screened by network pharmacology. They acted on the targets such as AKT1, CCND1, CYP1A1, CYP3A4, MAPK1, MAPK3, NOS2, NQO1, and PTGS2 to regulate the signaling pathways of lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, hepatitis B, interleukin-17, and tumor necrosis factor. Considering the chemical measurability, characteristics, and validity, schisantherin A, anwulignan, and schisandrin A were identified as the Q-markers. The content of schisantherin A, anwulignan, and schisandrin A in the test samples were 0.20%-0.57%, 0.13%-0.33%, and 0.42%-0.70%, respectively. Combining the fingerprint, network pharmacology, and content determination, this study predicted that schisantherin A, anwulignan, and schisandrin A were the Q-markers for the hepatoprotective effect of SSF. The results can provide reference for improving the quality evaluation standard and exploring the hepatoprotective mechanism of SSF.

Inhibitors of human bitter taste receptors from the five-flavour berry, Schisandra chinensis.

The human bitter taste 2 receptor member 16 (TAS2R16) is one of 25 class A G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and responds to a variety of molecules responsible for the bitter taste sensation perceived in humans. TAS2R16 can be activated by ß-glucopyranosides, and its activation can be inhibited by probenecid, a synthetic drug compound used to treat gout. In this study we describe naturally derived compounds which can inhibit the activation of TAS2R16 by salicin in vitro. These compounds belong to the lignan class derived from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis, which is commonly known as the five-flavour berry. We further tested other analogs with this lignan scaffold, found their differential inhibitory activities towards TAS2R16 in vitro, and sought to rationalize the activity using molecular docking of these lignans on a computationally modelled structure of TAS2R16. Selected lignans with inhibitory activity against other TAS2Rs reveal sub-millimolar inhibitory activity towards TAS2R10, TAS2R14, and TAS2R43 in cell-based assays. These compounds with demonstrated in vitro inhibition of bitter taste receptors may serve as tool compounds to investigate the molecular mechanisms of hTAS2Rs biology in gustatory and non-gustatory tissues.

A Review of Extraction and Purification, Biological Properties, Structure-Activity Relationships and Future Prospects of Schisandrin C: A Major Active Constituent of Schisandra Chinensis.

Since ancient times, China has used natural medicine as the primary way to combat diseases and has a rich arsenal of natural medicines. With the progress of the times, the extraction of bioactive molecules from natural drugs has become the new development direction for natural medicines. Among the numerous natural drugs, Schisandrin C (Sch C), derived from Schisandra Chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. It has excellent potential for development and has been shown to possess various pharmacological properties, including hepatoprotective, antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Based on the biological properties of hepatoprotection, scholars have explored Sch C and its synthetic products in depth; some studies have shown that pentosidine has the effect of improving the symptoms of liver fibrosis and reducing the concentration of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum of rats, which is an essential inspiration for the development of anti-liver fibrosis drugs. But more in vivo and ex vivo studies still need to be included. This paper focuses on Sch C's extraction and synthesis, biological activities and drug development progress. The future application prospects of Sch C are discussed to perfect its development work further.