670/SCHISANDRA (WU-WEI-ZI)Production: Northern schisandra fruit is the dried, ripe fruit
of Schisandra chinensis. The fruit is harvested in autumn,
then steamed before being dried in the sun.
Other Names: Chinese Mock-Barberry, Lemonwood
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil: containing among others, alpha- and beta-
chamigrene, chamigrenal. sesquicarene, (+)-ylangene
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Lignans (in the seeds 5 to 20%): dibenzo[a,c]cyclooctene
derivatives, including schizandrine A to C, schizandrol A
and B, schizantherine A and B, gomisins D to J, KI to K3,
LI and L2, Ml and M2. N and O, P to T, the gomisins
present to some extent as esters, among them those of
angelic acid, benzoic acid and acetic acid; additional lignans
with other parent substances, including pregomisin
Fatty oil (in the seeds): chief fatty acids oleic acid and
linoleic acid
EFFECTS
The lignans isolated from the drug (schizandrin, schizandrol)
are liver-protective in effect, acting as radical scavengers and
promoting liver regeneration. Anti-inflammatory and tumor-
inhibiting characteristics have also been demonstrated.
Schizandrol A is said to be neuroleptic, anticonvulsive and
sedative in effect. Schisandra fruits and seeds are believed to
bring about a non-specific increase in physical performance
ability and to be antithelminthic in effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Chinese Medicine: The plant is used mainly for conditions of
the digestive tract such as intestinal inflammation, and also
for insomnia, enuresis, pollakisuria, nightly ejaculation,
coughs, chronic diarrhea, dyspnea, insomnia, spontaneous
outbreaks of sweating, hepatitis, neurasthenia and anxiety
states. Efficacy for these indications has not yet been proven.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Whole and powdered drug and their
preparations for internal use.
Preparation: To prepare Cuwuweizi powder, the drug is
evaporated in the ratio of 1:5 with vinegar in closed
containers until the surface turns black. This substance is
then ground to a powder.
Daily Dosage: Powder/tincture/extract: 1.5 to 6 g dailyStorage: Store in dry area with good air circulation to avoid
fungal formation.
PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESLITERATURE
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM, Determination and (l
study of lignan distribution in the fruits of Schisandra chinensis
(Turcz.). Baill Farmatsiia, 78:34-7, 1972 May-Jun.
Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM, Determination of
lignans in the fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Trucz.) Baill. and
S. Sphenanthern Rehd. et Wils. using HPLC and their
chromatograms. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih, 78:611-4,
639-40, 1989 Oct.
Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM, Determination of
the active ingredients in Chinese drug wuweizi (Schisandra
chinensis) by TLC-densitometry. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao, 78:49-
53, 1990.
Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM, Ecological
investigation on Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. of the
Changbai Mountain. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih, 78:204-
5, 255, 1992 Apr.
Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM, Effect of a lignan-
enriched extract of Schisandra chinensis on aflatoxin Bl and
" cadmium chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Pharmacol
Toxicol, 78:413-6, 1996 Jun. |
Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM, Pharmacological
studies on an oil emulsion of Schisandra chinensis. Chung Yao
Tung Pao, 78:185-6, 1984 Jul.
Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM, Preliminary studies
on the processing of Schisandra chinensis. Chung Yao Tung
Pao, 78:26-7, 1986 Mar.
Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM, Schisandra
chinensis-dependent myocardial protective action of sheng-mai-
san in rats. Am J Chin Med, 78:255-62, 1996.
Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM, The occurrence of
some important lignans in Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis)
and its allied species. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao, 78:138-43, 1983
Feb.
Ip SP, Poon MK, Che CT, Ng KH, Kong YC, Ko KM, Anti-
oxidant activity of dibenzocyclooctene lignans isolated from
Schisandraceae. Planta Med, 21:311-3, 1992 Aug.
Ip SP, Poon MK, Che CT, Ng KH, Kong YC, Ko KM, '
Schisandrin B protects against carbon tetrachloride toxicity by
enhancing the mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse
liver. Free Radic Biol Med, 21:709-12, 1996. 4
Ko KM, Ip SP, Poon MK, Wu SS, Che CT, Ng KH, Kong
YC, Effect of a lignan-enriched fructus schisandrae extract on
hepatic glutathione status in rats: protection against carbon
tetrachloride toxicity. Planta Med, 21:134-7, 1995 Apr.
Liu CS, Fang SD, Huang MF, Kao YL, Hsu JS, Studies on the
active principles of Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. The
structures of schisantherin A, B, C, D, E and the related
compounds. Sci Sin, 21:483-502, 1978 Jul-Aug.