General

Scientific Names: Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Bail. Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd.

Common Names: Wu Wei Zi, Schisandra fruit, Fructus Schisandrae, Schisandra, Wu-wei-zi.

BOTANICAL:

Schisandra is a woody vine with numerous clusters of tiny, bright red berries. It is distributed throughout northern and northeast China and the adjacent regions of Russia and Korea. The fully ripe, sun-dried fruit is used medicinally. It is purported to have sour, sweet, salty, hot, and bitter tastes. This unusual combination of flavors is reflected in schisandra's Chinese name wu-wei-zi, meaning “five taste fruit”.

Irregularly spheroidal or compressed-spheroidal, 5~8 mm in diameter. Externally red, purplish-red or dull red, shunken, oily, with soft pulp, sometimes externally blackish-red or covered with “white frost”, seeds 1~2, reniform, externally brownish-yellow, lustrous, testa thin and fragile. Odour of pulp, slight; taste, sour. Odour of seeds, aromatic on crushing; taste pungent and slightly bitter.

A decidious climber growing to 9m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 4 and is frost tender. It is in flower from April to May. The scented flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). The plant not is self-fertile. We rate it 4 out of 5 for usefulness.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.

Wu Wei Zi is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. It is an excellent tonic and restorative, helping in stressful times and increasing zest for life. It is considered to be a substitute for ginseng and is said to be a tonic for both the male and the female sex organs.

The fruit is antitussive, aphrodisiac, hepatic, astringent, cardiotonic, cholagogue, expectorant, hypotensive, lenitive, nervine, pectoral, sedative, stimulant and tonic. Low doses of the fruit are said to stimulate the central nervous system whilst large doses depress it. The fruit also regulates the cardiovascular system. It is taken internally in the treatment of dry coughs, asthma, night sweats, urinary disorders, involuntary ejaculation, chronic diarrhoea, palpitations, insomnia, poor memory, hyperacidity, hepatitis and diabetes. Externally, it is used to treat irritating and allergic skin conditions. The fruit is harvested after the first frosts and sun-dried for later use.

The fruit contains lignans. These have a pronounced protective action on the liver. In one clinical trial there was a 76% success rate in treating patients with hepatitis, no side effects were noticed.

The seed is used in the treatment of cancer. The plant is antirheumatic. A mucilaginous decoction obtained from the branches is useful in the treatment of coughs, dysentery and gonorrhoea.

植物资源分布: 分布东北、华北、湖北、湖南、江西、四川等地。药材主产辽宁、吉林、黑龙江、河北等地，商品习称北五味子。

生药材鉴定: 性状鉴定：干燥果实略呈球形或扁球形，直径5-8mm。外皮鲜红色、紫红色或暗红色、显油润，有不整齐的皱缩。果肉柔软，常数个粘连一起；内含种子1-2枚，肾形，棕黄色，有光泽，坚硬，种仁白色。果肉气微弱而特殊，味酸。种子破碎后有香气，味辛而苦。以紫红色、粒大、肉厚、有油性及光泽者为佳。五味子商品中尚有一种南五味子，又称西五味子，主要为植物华中五味子 Schisandrasphenanthera Rehd．Et Wils．的果实。其果粒较小，红色，皮发泡，肉较薄，品质较差。产四川、湖北、陕西、山西、云南等地。显微鉴定：果实横切面：外果皮为1列表皮细胞，壁稍厚，外被角质层，有些表皮细胞间散有油细胞；中果皮有小的外韧型维管束环列，薄壁细胞含淀粉粒；内果皮为1列薄壁细胞。种皮表皮石细胞1列，栅栏状，壁厚，孔沟细密，胞腔内含红棕色物；其内数列石细胞略切向排列，壁较厚，纹孔较大；油细胞成层，类长方形，径向延长，含棕色挥发油，其内外方均为3-4列薄壁细胞，种脊维管束位于内方薄壁组织中；种皮内表皮为1列小细胞，壁稍厚。胚乳细胞含脂肪油滴和糊粉粒。胚细胞含糊粉粒。粉末：暗紫色。 1.种皮表皮石细胞表面观多角形或长多角形，直径18-32μm，壁厚6-10μm，孔沟极细密，胞腔内含红棕色或棕黑色物。 2.种皮内层石细胞类多角形、类圆形、卵圆形、长椭圆形或不规则形，直径32-83μm，长77-130μm， 少数似短纤维状者可至160μm，壁厚约至20μm，孔沟稍粗，或呈分枝状，胞腔明显。 3.果皮表皮细胞表面观类多角形，垂周壁略呈连珠状增厚，表面有角质纹理。表皮略散有类圆形油细胞内含挥发油滴。 4.中果皮细胞皱缩，含暗棕色物。 5.淀粉粒单位圆球形，直径3-18μm；复粒由2-6分粒组成。此外，有内胚乳细胞，少数纤维有环纹，螺纹导管。本品以粒大，果皮色紫红、肉厚、有油性及光泽、柔润者为佳。

Pharmacology

The major constituents in schisandra are lignans (schizandrin, deoxyschizandrin, gomisins, and pregomisin) found in the seeds of the fruit. Modern Chinese research suggests these lignans have a protective effect on the liver and an immunomodulating effect. Two human trials completed in China (one double-blind and the other preliminary) have shown that schisandra may help people with chronic viral hepatitis . Schisandra lignans appear to protect the liver by activating the enzymes in liver cells that produce glutathione , an important antioxidant substance.

Schisandra fruit may also have an adaptogenic action, much like the herb Asian ginseng , but with weaker effects. Laboratory work suggests that schisandra may improve work performance, build strength, and help to reduce fatigue.

12 compounds were obtained and identified as wuweizisu C (1), ganwuweizic acid (2), nigranoic acid (3), catechin (4), 2 alpha,24-dihytroxyursolic acid. (5), 3 beta-O-acetylursolic acid (6), ursolic acid (7), slyceryl 26-hydroxyhexacosanoate (8), slyceryl hexacosanoate (9), fat acids (10), beta-sitosterol (11), daucosterol (12), respectirely.

中药化学成分: 果实含挥发油约3%，其中有多量的倍半皆烯（Sesquicarene）、β2-甜没药烯（β2-Bisabolene）、β-花柏烯（β-Chamigrene）及衣兰烯（α-Ylangene）等。干果中含柠檬酸12%，苹果酸10%，及少量酒石酸。尚含有单糖类、树脂等。种子含脂肪油约33%，其非皂化部分含有强壮剂的有效成分五味子素（Schizandrin）约0.12%，还含γ-、ε-、p-五味子素，伪-γ-五味子素（Pseudo-γ-schizandrin），去氧五味子素（Deoxyschizandrin）及五味子醇（Schizandrol）。还含挥发油约1.6%，主要成分为柠檬醛（Citral）。 此外，还含叶绿素，β-谷固醇，柠檬酸，维生素C、E，树脂，鞣质及少量糖类。本品含多种木脂素类化合物，主要为五味子素(schizandrin)，去氧五味子素(五味子甲素，deoqyschizandrin)，新五味子素(neoschizandrin)，五味子醇(schezandrol)，戈米辛(gomisin)A、B、C、D、E、F、G、H、J、K1、K2、K3、L1、L2、M1、M2、N、O、R，当归酰戈米辛H、O、P、Q（angeloylgomisin H, O, P, Q)， 顺芷酰戈米辛H、P (tigloylgomisin H, P)，苯甲酰戈米辛 (benzoylgomisin)，苯甲酰异戈米辛O， 前戈米辛(pregomisin)，五味子酯甲等。果实完全成熟后，种皮中木脂素含量最高。种子含挥发油2%，果实挥发油2.2%，黄色，经气-质联系用分析鉴定出32种成分，油中主为β-花柏烯(β-chamigrene)。此外，尚含苹果酸11%，枸橼酸8%，酒石酸0.8%，原儿茶酸，维生素C0.035%-0.085%。

  1. Guo J, et al., [Studies on chemical constituents from the stems of Schisandra sphaerandra]. Zhongguo Zhong yao Za Zhi. 2003 Feb.
  2. Li RT, et al., Lancifodilactones B-E, new nortriterpenes from Schisandra lancifolia. J Nat Prod. 2004 Jan.
  3. Chu MQ, et al., [Kinetic model for extraction process of Chinese traditional medicine]. Yao Xue Xue bao. 2002 Jul.
  4. Yang SB. [Study on supercritical C02 fluid extraction and separation components from fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2001 Nov.
  5. Li RT, et al., Micrandilactone A: a novel triterpene from Schisandra micrantha. Org Lett. 2003 Apr 3.
  6. Li XN, et al., Analysis of volatile fractions of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. using GC-MS and chemometric resolution. Phytochem Anal. 2003 Jan-Feb.
  7. Li XN, et al., [Analysis of the essential oil of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. with GC/MS]. Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2001 Mar.
  8. Zhang L, et al., [Seed germinative characteristics and embryo development of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Bail.]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1999 Aug.
  9. Chang J, et al., [Total synthesis of schizandrin, the main active ingredient isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine fructus schizandrae]. Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1998 Jun.
  10. Song WZ, et al., [The occurence of some important lignans in Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis) and its allied species]. Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1983 Feb.

 

 

Efficacy

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Bail can inhibit tumor growth. This effect may be correlated with apoptosis and the activation of immunocytes, but not depend on killing tumor cells directly. In addition, high concentration Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Bail combined with cyclophosphamide can promote the capacity on anti-tumor in S180-bearing mice.

Gomisin A, isolated from the fruits of Schisandra chinensis, is one of the dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans. Application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 1 microgram/ear), a tumor-promoting agent, to the ears of mice induces inflammation. Among seven dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans assayed, gomisin A, gomisin J, and wuweizisu C inhibited the inflammatory activity induced by TPA in mice. The ED50 of these compounds for TPA-induced inflammation was 1.4-4.4 mumol. Gomisin A, with an ED50 of 1.4 mumol, showed the strongest inhibitory effect. Furthermore, at 5 mumol/mouse, it markedly suppressed the promotion effect of TPA (2.5 micrograms/mouse) on skin tumor formation in mice following initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (50 micrograms/mouse). It is assumed that the inhibition of tumor promotion by gomisin A is due to its anti-inflammatory activity.

对免疫系统功能的作用： 6.1．五味子油乳剂对胸腺嘧啶核苷掺入淋巴细胞DNA的影响：实验采用Pellegrino等人的方法,略作修改。实现结果表明、五味子油乳剂对3H-TdR掺入人体外周血淋巴细胞DNA合成有明显促进作用，这与临床报道的结果一致。五味子油乳剂对3H-TdR掺入淋巴细胞DNA合成表现出明显的浓度效应，10mg剂量组作用72小时，掺入量增加最为显著。五味子油乳剂作用于人体外周血淋巴细胞不同时间对3H-RdR掺入淋巴细胞DNA合成有一影响。五味子油乳剂3种剂量作用32小时，与同一时间对照组的掺入量比较无差异。作用时间延长至48小时，72小时，给药组3种剂量均可使3H-TdR掺入淋巴细胞DNA合成的量增加。值得注意的是，五味子油乳剂lmg剂量组、2mg剂量组均在作用48小时对刺激指数影响较大，随着作用时间延长，刺激指数下降。而10mg剂量组在作用48小时后，刺激指烽也无明显上升，这可为临床制定合理给药方案提供一定的实验依据。 6.2．五味子对家兔肾上腺和脾脏组织化学改变的观察，健康成年（30-36月龄）家兔20只和低龄（2-3日）家兔7只，雌雄兼有。将动物随机分成成年给药组（简称五味子组）及成年对照组，低龄动物作为比较组（简称低龄组）。所用动物分笼饲养。五味子组使用五味子粉剂按1g/kg体重/日伴合食物饲喂。给药30日后，各组动物均同时由耳沿静脉注射入空气处死，并立即解剖，迅速取出肾上腺及脾脏进行恒冷切片。所有切片在同一染缸内分别作有关酶组织化学染色，以上切片染色在显微镜下对各组动物组织中酶学等的变化进行对比观察。酶活性等变化现象看G-6-P酶在肾上腺皮质及髓质内的活性五味子组有相当一部分动物高于对照组，低龄组也有部分动物增高。而G-6-P酶是糖代谢中的重要酶类，它专一地催化葡萄糖-6-磷酸及氨基葡萄-6-磷酸的分解反应，因而G-6-P酶对细胞内外的葡萄糖水平起调节作用。五味子似可诱导该酶活力升高，从而增强组织对糖的代谢作用。RNA是核酸的重要组成部分，它对蛋白质的合成起着重要作用。本实验五味子组动物的肾上腺皮质及髓质细胞内RNA与对照组比较，大多数动物有明显增加、表明五味子有增强细胞合成蛋白的功能。其它胞浆膜酶（5'N，ALH）菌溶酶体标记酶（ANAE）在肾上腺皮质和髓质内、五味子组动物亦有不同程度的增高，对类固醇等物质的交换、调节和代谢可能有一定作用。另外，五味子组不但能使动物脾动脉鞘周围的小淋巴细胞数比对照组增多，说明五味子有增强细胞免疫的功能，而且多数动物的脾B区外周带增宽，B淋巴细胞数增多和B淋巴细胞内RNA增多，且接近低龄组5'N和ANAE酶在B淋巴细胞。浆细胞和巨噬细胞内五味子组与对照组比较也呈不同程度增高，表明五味子还有增强体液免疫的作用。应用细胞培养和小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能观察的方法，研究了五味子对体外培养二倍体细胞形态，生长速度及小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬率和吞噬指数的变化。结果揭示五味子对二倍体细胞的影响与对照组无明显差异，对巨噬细胞吞噬功能具有降低作用。

 

IN VITRO:

  1. Chen YG, et al., Triterpenoids from Schisandra henryi with cytotoxic effect on leukemia Hela cells in vitro. Arch Pharm Res. 2003 Nov.
  2. Hsieh TC, et al., Effects of herbal preparation Equiguard on hormone-responsive and hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma cells: mechanistic studies. Int J oncol. 2002 Apr.
  3. Shidoji Y, et al., Natural occurrence of cancer-preventive geranylgeranoic acid in medicinal herbs. J Lipid Res. 2004 Jun.

IN VIVO:

  1. Huang L, et al., [Pathological observations of Fructus Schisandrae polysaccharide on tumor effects in S180-bearing mice]. Zhong Yao Cai, 2004 Mar.
  2. Nomura M, et al., Inhibition of early 3-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-induced hepatocarcinogenesis by gomisin A in rats. Anticancer Res. 1994 Sep-Oct;14(5A):1967-71.
  3. Ohtaki Y, et al., Inhibition by gomisin A, a lignan compound, of hepatocarcinogenesis by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene in rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 1994 Jun;17(6):808-14.
  4. Nomura M, et al., Gomisin A, a lignan component of Schizandora fruits, inhibits development of preneoplastic lesions in rat liver by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylamino-azobenzene. Cancer Lett. 1994 Jan 15;76(1):11-8.
  5. Yasukawa K, et al., Gomisin A inhibits tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in two-stage carcinogenesis in mouse skin. Oncology. 1992.
  6. Miyamota K, et al., Effects of gomisin A on hepatocarcinogenesis by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene in rats.Jpn J Pharmacol. 1991 Sep;57(1):71-7.

 

Safety

Side effects involving schisandra are uncommon but may include abdominal upset, decreased appetite, and skin rash. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.

Certain medications interact with schisandra : Some interactions may increase the need for schisandra, other interactions may be negative and indicate schisandra should not be taken without first speaking with your physician or pharmacist, others may require further explanation. Refer to the individual drug article for specific details about an interaction.

毒理学： 1.五味子乙素的毒性研究： 1.1．一次以2g/kg乙素灌胃，10只小鼠无一死亡。200mg/kg每天1次连续30日灌胃，对小鼠的生长，血红蛋白量及主要脏器的组织形态均无明显影响。曾给二犬以乙素10mg/kg每天1次连续4周灌胃，其食量、体重、血象、肝功能（BSP及SGPT）、肾功能（NPN）及肝组织活检，均与给药前无明显差别。 2.五味子7种成分急性毒性的比较：将体重19-23g的小鼠一批分23组，每组3-10只，于禁食24小时后给不同剂量的五味子各成分一次，观察7日的死亡数，7种成分的急性毒性以醇乙及酯乙最大，以250mg/kg灌胃时，部分动物死亡，腹腔注射的毒性和灌胃差不多，乙素与酯甲毒性最低，2g/kg灌胃不致死，丙素与甲素毒性比较低。 3.五味子急性毒性：取18-22g小白鼠70只，雌雄各半，每组10只，一次性灌胃五味子15g/kg，观察72小时，各组动物反应良好，食欲正常，无一动物死亡，提示上述五味子无明显的毒副作用。 4.五味子挥发油的急性毒性：小鼠40只，随机分组，每组10只，五味子挥发油灌胃给药，观察3日。给药后，小鼠活动减少，步态蹒跚，呈抑制状态，呼吸困难致死。死亡集中于给药后24-36小时，按简化机率单位法计算，五味子挥发油灌胃的半数致死量为8.75±2.41g/kg。

用药忌宜： 外有表邪，内有实热，或咳嗽初起、痧疹初发者忌服。 1.《本草正》：感寒初嗽当忌，恐其敛束不散。肝旺吞酸当忌，恐其助木伤土。 2.《本草经疏》：痧疹初发及一切停饮，肝家有动气，肺家有实热，应用黄芩泻热者，皆禁用。

不良反应及治疗: 五味子无明显毒性，个别病人服药后胃部有烧灼，泛酸及胃痛。近期报导，煎服五味子引起窦性心速1例，临床表现为心慌气短，胸部憋闷，心电图示窦性心动过速，伴定性早博，经急救后缓解。另外1例煎服致呼吸抑制。

 

　

 
   
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