• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.17-23
• /
• 2012

Objectives : Schisandrae Fructus (SF) has traditionally been used to balance level of body fluid and to strengthen kidney function. It has been reported that the SF extract has antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and anticancer effects. This study investigated an antiproliferative effect of SF extract on PC-3 human prostate cancer cells and analyzed active ingredients of SF extract qualitatively and quantitatively. Methods : We examined the antiproliferative effect of SF extract with MTT assay, DAPI staining and annexin-V/7-AAD double staining. The active ingredients of SF extract were identified by using HPTLC and HPLC/DAD system. Results : SF-chloroform fraction inhibited growth of PC-3 cells and changed the morphology of nucleus in a dose dependent manner. A dose-dependent apoptotic cell death was also measured by flow cytometry analysis. It was analyzed that SF-chloroform fraction contained more schizandrin than other fractions by using HPTLC and HPLC/DAD system. Conclusions : These results suggest that SF extract and schizandrin may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of PC-3 human prostate cancer cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The present study aimed at investigating the effects of Schisandrae Fructus (SF) on menopause symptoms in ovariectomized mice. Methods: 6 weeks old female mice were ovariectomized (OVX), and the OVX mice were fed with a three doses of SF (25, 100, and 400 mg/kg, respectively) or $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2, 0.5 mg/kg) 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Body weight was measured at every week and uterus weight was also measured at the end of experiment. Lipids and osteocalcin levels in serum were analyzed. Results: The uterine weight was not changed in SF treated group, while E2 intake increased the reduced uterine weight by OVX. Although Body weight was increased since two weeks after ovariectomy compared with sham operated group, there was no change in SF or E2 treated group compared with OVX. But LDL was significantly reduced in SF (400 mg/kg) or E2 fed mice and SF or E2 treatment decreased enhanced osteocalcin level by OVX. Conclusion: These results indicated that SF would be effective in the improvement of LDL level and osteoporosis on menopause.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.101-104
• /
• 2003

It has been suggested that oxidative stress of reactive oxygen species(ROS) may play a key role in the pathogenesis of neuronal complications. The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxic effect of hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂) in the cultured mouse cerebral neurons and the protective effect of Schisandrae Fructus(SF) on ROS-induced neurotoxicity. Cytotoxic effect of H₂O₂ and neuroprotective effect of SF were determined by MTT assay. H₂O₂ decreased cell viability in dose-and time-dependent mannner, and SF decreased H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity in these cultures. From above the results, H₂O₂ has toxic effect, and herb extract, SF is very effective against H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity in cultured cerebral neurons of mouse.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.52-58
• /
• 2015

Neural stem cells (NSCs), with self-renewal and neuronal differentiation capacity, are a feasible resource in cell-based therapies for various neurodegenerative diseases and neural tissue injuries. In this study, we investigated the effects of Schisandrae Fructus (SF) on proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic NSCs. Treatment with 70% ethanol extract of SF increased the viability of NSCs derived from human embryonic stem cells, which was accompanied by increased mRNA expression of cyclin D1. Whereas 70% ethanol extract of SF also decreased the mRNA expression of nestin, it increased class III ${\beta}$-tublin (Tuj-1) and MAP2 in both growth and differentiation media. Lastly, we found increased mRNA expression of BDNF in SF-treated NSCs. In conclusion, our study demonstrates for the first time that SF induced proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs and increased mRNA expression of BDNF, suggesting its potential as a regulator of NSC fate in NSC-based therapy for neuronal injuries from various diseases.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2018.04a
• /
• pp.8-8
• /
• 2018

Muscle atrophy, known as a sarcopenia, is defined as a loss of muscle mass resulting from a reduction in muscle fiber area or density due to a decrease in muscle protein synthesis and an increase in protein breakdown. Many conditions are associated with muscle atrophy, such as aging, denervation, disuse, starvation, severe injury and inflammation, prolonged bed rest, glucocorticoid treatment, sepsis, cancer, and other cachectic diseases. On the other hand, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disease and is wide spread in the elderly population and is characterized by erosion of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation, and subchondral bone sclerosis. The cytokine network plays an important role in the development and progression of OA with the inflammatory cytokine. Schisandrae Fructus (SF) derived from the ripe fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (Magnoliaceae) has been extensively used in traditional herbal medicines in Asia. It was originally used as a tonic and has been traditionally used for the treatment of many uncomfortable symptoms, such as cough, dyspnea, dysentery, insomnia, and amnesia for a long time. Previous reports have shown that SF and its related compounds possess various biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-aging, hepatoprotective and immunostimulating effects. However, the therapeutic effects of SF on muscle atrophy and OA has not yet been evaluated. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether extracts of SF, the dried fruit of S. chinensis, mitigates the development of muscle atrophy and OA.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.32-47
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) characterized by an enlarged prostate gland is common in elderly men. Corni Fructus (CF) and Schisandrae Fructus (SF) are known to have various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory efficacy of CF, SF, and their mixture (MIX) on the development of BPH using an in vivo model of testosterone-induced BPH. MATERIALS/METHODS: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups. To induce BPH, testosterone propionate (TP) was injected to rats except for those in the control group. Finasteride, saw palmetto (SP), CF, SF, and MIX were orally administered along with TP injection. At the end of treatment, histological changes in the prostate and the level of various biomarkers related to BPH were evaluated. RESULTS: Our results showed that BPH induced by TP led to prostate weight and histological changes. Treatment with MIX effectively improved TP-induced BPH by reducing prostate index, lumen area, epithelial thickness, and expression of BPH biomarkers such as 5α-reductase type 2, prostate-specific antigen, androgen receptor, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen compared to treatment with CF or SF alone. Moreover, MIX further reduced levels of elevated serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and prostate-specific antigen in BPH compared to the SP, a positive control. BPH was also improved more by MIX than by CF or SF alone. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, MIX is a potential natural therapeutic candidate for BPH by regulating 5α-reductase and AR signaling pathway.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.686-702
• /
• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Schisandrae Fructus, the fruit of Schisandra chinensis Baill., has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of various diseases, and has proven its various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Schisandrae Fructus ethanol extract (SF) on inflammatory and oxidative stress in particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of SF in PM2.5-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, the levels of pro-inflammatory mediator such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the effect of SF, the expression of genes involved in the generation of inflammatory factors was also investigated. We further evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy of SF against PM2.5 in the zebrafish model. RESULTS: The results indicated that SF treatment significantly inhibited the PM2.5-induced release of NO and PGE₂, which was associated with decreased inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. SF also attenuated the PM2.5-induced expression of IL-6 and IL-1β, reducing their extracellular secretion. Moreover, SF suppressed the PM2.5-mediated translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) from the cytosol into nuclei and the degradation of inhibitor IκB-α, indicating that SF exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, SF abolished PM2.5-induced generation of ROS, similar to the pretreatment of a ROS scavenger, but not by an inhibitor of NF-κB activity. Furthermore, SF showed strong protective effects against NO and ROS production in PM2.5-treated zebrafish larvae. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SF exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects against PM2.5 through ROS-dependent down-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway, and that SF can be a potential functional substance to prevent PM2.5-mediated inflammatory and oxidative damage.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2011

Objectives : This study focused on Schisandrae Fructus (SF) and Perilae Folium (PF), traditional medicine herbs and health functional food in Korea, Japan and China. We investigated various pharmacological activities that include a potential source of free radical scavenging, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory activities. Methods : We conducted an investigation of total contents of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in these single herbal extraction with/without combined to mixture. We also measured antioxidant activities such as DPPH free radical scavenging, SOD-like scavenging, nitrite scavenging and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, xanthine oxidase inhibition, linoleic acid peroxidation inhibition, and reducing power. Results : As the results, contents of total phenoilc compounds and flavonoids were higher in those of PF than those of SF. Those of SF+PF mixture showed the synergy effects compared with those of SF and PF single extractions. Activities of DPPH free radical and SOD-like scavenging in 1 mg/mL concentration increased in dose dependent manners. That of SF increased compared with that of PF. That of SF and PF mixture also increased compared with that of BHA as a positive control. The other antioxident activities also showed similar to patten of activity of DPPH free radical scavenging. When combined to SF and PF extractions, there was showed synergic effect compared with those of BHA, excepted activities of xanthine oxidase inhibition and reducing power. Taken together, SF and PF have high phenolic and flavonoid compounds content furthermore, antioxidant activities in SF and PF mixture showed more synergy effect compared with those of BHA. Conclusions : Therefore, these findings suggest that SF and PF mixture may offer functional materials potential for development of functional beverage. But further studies are needed for the identification of the active compounds.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.10
• /
• pp.1207-1213
• /
• 2016

Schisandrae fructus (SF) and Mori folium (MF) have been used as traditional medicines for thousands of years in parts of Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan. Recent researches on SF and MF have documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenesis effects. However, the toxicity and safety of SF and MF, and their mixture (medicinal herber mixture, MHMIX) were not confirmed. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the acute toxicity and safety of SF, MF and MHMIX. SF, MF and MHMIX were orally administered at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg in ICR mice. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in the body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during the 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy. We also measured parameters of organ weight, clinical chemistry, and hematology. No dead and no clinical signs were found during the experiment period after administration of a single oral dose of SF, MF and MHMIX. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, or organ weight and no gross pathological findings in any treatment group. Therefore, LD50 value of SF, MF and MHMIX may be over 5,000 mg/kg and it may have no side toxic effect to ICR mice. The results on the single-dose toxicity of SF, MF and MHMIX indicate that it is not possible to reach oral dose levels related to death or dose levels with any harmful side effects.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1207-1214
• /
• 2017

Schisandrae Fructus (SF), the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of chronic diseases. SF extracts have been recently reported to attenuate the inflammatory responses in SW1353 human chondrocyte cells in in vitro and monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced cartilage degradation in in vivo osteoarthritis (OA) models. However, their protective and therapeutic potentials against OA in primary culture chondrocytes and animal models remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the ethanol extract of SF on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), biomarkers for diagnosis of OA, on interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}-induced$ primary cultured rat cartilage chondrocytes and MIA-induced osteoarthritis in a rat model. Our data indicated that SF treatment significantly reduced the mRNA expression and enzyme activity of MMP-1, -3 and -13 in $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ primary cultured rat cartilage chondrocytes. The chondro-protective effects of SF were then analyzed in a rat OA model using a single intra-articular injection of MIA in the right knee joint. According to our results, the elevated levels of MMP-1 and -3 were markedly ameliorated by SF administration. Collectively, these findings indicate that SF could be a candidate for the treatment of OA.