Changes in lignans compounds and expression of genes in lignans biosynthetic pathways during the maturation of Schisandra chinensis fruit

Abstract

Schisandra chinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years. In this study, three S. chinensis germplasm samples (13–5–2, 84–7–2, and Yanhong) were used to examine changes in characteristics during fruit maturation, contents of six main lignan compounds, and transcription levels of genes involved in lignan biosynthetic pathways. Results showed that the lignans content of the three germplasms had a similar trend, that is, they decreased with fruit ripening, but component changes differed between the six stages. The overall changes in schisandrin, schisantherin A, deoxyschizandrin, and γ-schisandrin contents followed an “M-shaped” pattern, with the highest amounts observed at stage S2, while the highest contents of schisandrol B and schisandrin C appeared at the S1 and S5 stages, respectively. The correlation analysis between lignans content and the expression of genes in lignans biosynthetic pathways in S. chinensis showed that the expression of lignan biosynthesis genes might explain lignans accumulation over time. These findings provide theoretical support for the cultivation and management of S. chinensis and its efficient utilization in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.