Schizandrae Fructus Research Articles

Anti-Obesity and Anti-Diabetic Activities of Fermented Schizandrae Fructus Pomace Extract in Mice Fed with High-Fat Diet

Obesity is implicated as a factor in several serious metabolic conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and type II diabetes. This study aimed at the development of more potent and safer alternative medications to address these metabolic diseases with minimal side effects. Following oral administration of 400, 200, and 100 of mg/kg fermented Schizandrae fructus pomace extracts (fSFP) once daily for 84 days to high-fat diet (HFD)-supplied ICR mice, respectively, we measured liver enzyme activity related to glucose metabolism, gene expression related to fat metabolism, anti-obesity effect, liver and kidney protection effect, and anti-diabetic effect to confirm the effect of fSFP on improving related complications including obesity and diabetes. In the HFD control group, significant obesity and type II diabetes symptoms were developed. However, oral administration of 200 mg/kg of fSFP showed a protective effect on kidney damage and diabetes complications related to insulin-resistant type II diabetes mellitus, as well as oxidative stress-induced abnormalities in glucose and fat metabolism, comparable to that of metformin 250 mg/kg, a positive control. The major bioactive substance in fSFP was identified as shizandrin, which was quantitated as 1.25 mg/g (w/w). Therefore, fSFP extracts can be taken as a medicinal food in combating obesity and diabetes, two current major health concerns.

Synergistic Protective Effect of Fermented Schizandrae Fructus Pomace and Hoveniae Semen cum Fructus Extracts Mixture in the Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity.

Schizandrae Fructus (SF), fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. and Hoveniae Semen cum Fructus (HSCF), the dried peduncle of Hovenia dulcis Thunb., have long been used for alcohol detoxification in the traditional medicine of Korea and China. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the potential synergistic hepatoprotective effect of a combination mixture (MSH) comprising fermented SF pomace (fSFP) and HSCF hot water extracts at a 1:1 (w:w) ratio against ethanol-induced liver toxicity. Subacute ethanol-mediated hepatotoxicity was induced by the oral administration of ethanol (5 g/kg) in C57BL/6J mice once daily for 14 consecutive days. One hour after each ethanol administration, MSH (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was also orally administered daily. MSH administration significantly reduced the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. Histological observation indicated that MSH administration synergistically and significantly decreased the fatty changed region of hepatic parenchyma and the formation of lipid droplet in hepatocytes. Moreover, MSH significantly attenuated the hepatic triglyceride accumulation through reducing lipogenesis genes expression and increasing fatty acid oxidation genes expression. In addition, MSH significantly inhibited protein nitrosylation and lipid peroxidation by lowering cytochrome P450 2E1 enzyme activity and restoring the glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in liver. Furthermore, MSH synergistically decreased the mRNA level of tumor necrosis factor-α in the hepatic tissue. These findings indicate that MSH has potential for preventing alcoholic liver disease through inhibiting hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

A Mixture of Fermented Schizandrae Fructus Pomace and Hoveniae Semen cum Fructus Extracts Synergistically Protects against Oxidative Stress-Mediated Liver Injury.

Schizandrae Fructus (SF) and Hoveniae Semen cum Fructus (HSCF) have long been used as medicinal herbs for treating various diseases in Asian traditional medicine. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect of fermented SF pomace and HSCF extract 1:1 (w:w) combination mixture (MSH) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury mice. After MSH (50-200 mg/kg) oral administration for 7 consecutive days, animals were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 (0.5 mL/kg). Histopathological observation revealed that administration of MSH synergistically decreased the degeneration of hepatocytes and the infiltration of inflammatory cells induced by CCl4. Moreover, MSH administration reduced the activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in serum, and mitigated apoptotic cell death in hepatic parenchyma. In addition, MSH alleviated CCl4-mediated lipid peroxidation by restoring endogenous antioxidants capacities including glutathione contents, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities. In vitro assessments using tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells revealed that MSH protects hepatocytes by lowering ROS generation and lipid peroxidation via upregulating the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 and the expression of antioxidant genes. Furthermore, MSH synergistically attenuated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in CCl4-injured liver and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that MSH has the potential to prevent acute liver damage by effectively suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Studies on the component analysis and quality control in tonic wine preparation of King-Mon-Long-Fong-Jyo

An HPLC method for simultaneous determination of seven marker substances was established for the quality control in tonic wine preparation of "King-Mon-Long-Fong-Jyo". These marker substances were gomisin A and schizandrin from Schizandrae Fructus, loganin from Corni Fructus, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde from Cinnamomi Cortex, scopoletin and ferulic acid from Angelicae Radix. Different rice wine extraction volume and extraction temperature conditions were performed to evaluate quality of King-Mon-Long-Fong-Jyo. Extracted samples were run through the HPLC column (Inertsil 5 ODS-2, 4.6 I.D. × 250 mm.) at 30°C and the column was developed with a mixture of 20% acetonitrile and 70% acetonitrile (adjusted to pH 3.0 with phosphoric acid) aqueous solution and then employed linear gradient elution method at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL/min. An UV 250 nm was used for the detection of the marker substances. Relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day analysis were less than 5%. This separation method could be successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of seven marker substances in "King-Mon-Long-Fong-Jyo".

The Effects of Schizandrae Fructus Chloroform Fraction on Gene Expression in Liver Tissue of Dyslipidemic Mice

The Effects of Schizandrae Fructus Chloroform Fraction on Gene Expression in Liver Tissue of Dyslipidemic Mice

Antiasthmatic effects of schizandrae fructus extract in mice with asthma.

Background:Schizandrae fructus (SF), the fruit of Schisandra chinensis, has been used for the treatment of cough, wheezing, dry mouth, hepatitis, cardiovascular disease, and as a tonic and astringent in China, Japan, and Korea.Objective:Investigation of the antiasthmatic effects of SF.Materials and Methods:We investigated the effects of SF on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine, production levels of antigen-specific antibodies, and histopathological changes in the lung tissue in a mouse model (Balb/c) of asthma induced by repeated intranasal instillation of an antigen.Results:SF lowered AHR to methacholine (P < 0.05), antigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) level (P < 0.01), and immune cell infiltration in mice with asthma. Prednisolone (PD) effectively decreased AHR (P < 0.01), total antibody (P < 0.01) and IgE (P < 0.01) levels, and immune cell infiltration. SF and PD did not affect the levels of antigen-specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies.Conclusion:Our data suggest that SF has possible application as an antiasthmatic drug. We also suggest that SF could be used as a complementary or alternative medicine to glucocorticoids.

Antimicrobial Activity of a Combination of Mume Fructus, Schizandrae Fructus, and Coptidis Rhizoma on Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O26, O111, and O157 and Its Effect on Shiga Toxin Releases

The antibacterial activity of an herbal combination composed of Mume Fructus, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Schizandrae Fructus extracts on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) was evaluated in the present study. The combination demonstrated antibacterial activity against all EHEC strains tested in this study, including those resistant to multiple antibiotics; minimum inhibitory concentration values ranged from 0.49 to 31.25 mg/mL. In in vivo antibacterial activity assay, the herbal combination was administered to mice after initial E. coli O157 infection and had significant effects on mouse mortality. The effects of the herbal combination on Shiga toxin release from EHEC O26, EHEC O111, and EHEC O157 strains containing the stx1 and stx2 genes were assessed by the reversed passive latex agglutination method, and there was no increased Shiga toxin release in the strain cultures containing the herbal combination. These results suggested that the herbal combination may be a safe and effective remedy for EHEC inhibition.

Effects of Baicalin, Baicalein and Schizandrin on Airway Mucin Production Induced by Epidermal Growth Factor and Phorbol Ester

We conducted this study to investigate whether baicalin, baicalein or schizandrin significantly affect MUC5AC mucin production induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) or phorbol ester (PMA) in human airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with varying concentrations of baicalin, baicalein or schizandrin for 30 min and then stimulated with EGF or PMA for 24 h, respectively. MUC5AC mucin protein production was measured by ELISA. The results were as follows: (1) Baicalin was found to inhibit the production of MUC5AC mucin protein induced by both EGF and PMA. (2) Baicalein, the aglycone of baicalin, also inhibited MUC5AC mucin production. (3) Schizandrin, derived from Schizandrae Fructus, inhibited MUC5AC mucin production by the same inducers. These results suggest that baicalin, baicalein and schizandrin can regulate the production of mucin protein by directly acting on human airway epithelial cells.

Antihyperglycemic and Antioxidative Effects of New Herbal Formula in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Herbal prescriptions have been recognized as potentially valid by the scientific medical establishment, and their use has been increasing. The present study investigated the antidiabetic effects of a new herbal formula (NHF) consisting of Polygonati Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, Puerariae Radix, Schizandrae Fructus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were orally administered NHF (300 mg/kg of body weight/day) for 4 weeks. The diabetic rats exhibited hyperglycemia, increased food and water intake, loss of body weight gain, elevated hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and decreased activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px]), level of mRNA of glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 in soleus muscle, and numbers of insulin-positive cells and the size of beta-cells in pancreas. Administration of NHF significantly decreased the blood glucose level and the food and water intake and considerably increased the body weights of diabetic rats. Also, NHF treatment significantly increased plasma insulin levels and the number and size of insulin-immunoreactive cells in the pancreas of diabetic rats. Administration of NHF significantly lowered the levels of TBARS and increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px in the liver of diabetic rats. In addition, treatment with NHF increased the mRNA levels of GLUT4 in soleus muscle. Therefore NHF may be an effective preventive and therapeutic agent for diabetes mellitus.

Inhibitory effects of Schizandrae Fructus on eotaxin secretion in A549 human epithelial cells and eosinophil migration

Eosinophilia have been implicated in a broad range of diseases, most notably allergic conditions (e.g. asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis) and inflammatory diseases. These diseases are characterized by an accumulation of eosinophils in the affected tissue. Defining the mechanisms that control the recruitment of eosinophil is fundamental to understanding how these diseases progress and identifying a novel target for drug therapy. Accordingly, this study was conducted to evaluate the regulatory effect of Schizandrae Fructus (SF) on the expression of eotaxin, an eosinophil-specific chemokine released in respiratory epithelium following allergic stimulation, as well as its effects on eosinophil migration. To accomplish this, human epithelial lung cells (A549 cell) were stimulated with a combination of TNF-alpha (100ng/ml) and IL-4 (100ng/ml) for 24h. The cells were then restimulated with TNF-alpha (100ng/ml) and IL-1beta (10ng/ml) to induce the expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in eosinophil chemotaxis for another 24h. Next, the samples were treated with various concentrations of Schizandrae Fructus (SF) (1, 10, 100, 1000microg/ml) or one of the major constituents of SF, schizandrin (0.1, 1, 10, 100microg/ml), after which following inhibition effect assay was performed triplicates in three independence. The levels of eotaxin in secreted proteins were suppressed significantly by SF (100 and 1000microg/ml, p<0.01) and schizandrin (10 and 100microg/ml, p<0.01). In addition, SF (1, 10, 100 and 1000microg/ml) decreased mRNA expression levels in A549 cells significantly (p<0.01). Eosinophil recruitment to lung epithelial cells was also reduced by SF, which indicates that eotaxin plays a role in eosinophil recruitment. Furthermore, treatment with SF suppressed the expression of another chemokine, IL-8 (0.1 and 1microg/ml SF, p<0.01), as well as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (10 and 100microg/ml SF, p<0.01) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (0.1 and 1microg/ml SF, p<0.05), which are all related to eosinophil migration. Taken together, these findings indicate that SF may be a desirable medicinal plant for the treatment of allergic diseases.

Anti-diabetic Effects of New Herbal Formula in Neonatally Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The present study investigated the anti-diabetic effects of new herbal formula (NHF) consist of Polygonati Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix, Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix, Puerariae Radix, Schizandrae Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix in neonatal streptozotocin (nSTZ)-induced non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats. Changes of food and water intakes, body weight, blood glucose, plasma insulin and immunohistochemical evaluation of insulin on pancreas, and mRNA expression of glucose transporter subtype-4 (GLUT-4) in skeletal muscle and hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) by administration of NHF (300 mg/kg) were investigated. The nSTZ diabetic rats showed hyperglycemia, increases in food and water intake, loss of body weight gain and decrease of the number of insulin-positive cells and the size of beta-cells in pancreas and mRNA of GLUT-4 in soleus muscle and increase of hepatic PEPCK mRNA expression. Administration of NHF significantly decreased the blood glucose level, food and water intake and considerably increased the body weight of nSTZ diabetic rats. Also, NHF treatment significantly increased plasma insulin level and the number and size of insulin-immunoreactive cells in the pancreas of nSTZ diabetic rats. In addition, NHF treatment resulted in increased expression of the GLUT-4 mRNA in soleus muscle and in reduced expression of PEPCK mRNA in liver. These results provide possible mechanisms for the anti-diabetic effects of NHF, via a decrease of blood glucose level, an increase of insulin sensitivity, an increase of GLUT-4 gene expression and an attenuation of hepatic PEPCK gene expression. In conclusion, NHF may be useful for improving hyperglycemia and reducing the risk of diabetic complications.

Evaluation of antibacterial effects of a combination of Coptidis Rhizoma, Mume Fructus, and Schizandrae Fructus against Salmonella

The antibacterial potential of a preparation of medicinal herbs for the treatment of salmonellosis was evaluated. The preparation contained a combination of methanolic extracts from Mume Fructus, Coptidis Rhizoma and Schizandrae Fructus, and is designated NP532. NP532 was tested against 26 different Salmonella stains. All these strains were affected by NP532 even though many of the salmonella strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics. The MIC values of this combination against the Salmonella strains varied from 0.49 to 7.8 mg/ml. The in vivo antibacterial activity of NP532 was examined using a S. Gallinarum infection chicken model. The chickens were initially infected with S. Gallinarum, and NP532 was then administered. This preparation was found to have major effects on mortality. The histopathological observations of the NP532 treated animals did not show any of the clinical signs and rarely showed histological damage associated with the disease. On the other hand, the untreated controls showed the clinical signs, e.g. congestion and necrotic changes in the liver, kidney, and spleen. This suggests that NP532 might be an effective treatment for salmonellosis.

Prevention of epimerization and quantitative determination of amygdalin in Armeniacae Semen with Schizandrae Fructus solution

Armeniacae Semen not only contains amygdalin, but emulsin also, which is an enzyme that hydrolyzes amygdalin. The extraction yield of amygdalin from Armeniacae Semen was low, due to the presence of emulsin, when extracted with water. When Schizandrae Fructus solution was used as the extractant; however, amygdalin was almost completely extracted, regardless of the cutting size, due to the absence of the influence of emulsin. In addition, when the crude powder or small piece forms were used with Schizandrae Fructus solution, on epimerization of the D-amygdalin into neoamygdalin occurred. D-amygdalin and its conversion product, neoamygdalin, were quantitatively analyzed by reverse-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with an optimized eluent of 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 2.3), containing 11.5% acetonitrile. The concentration and detector response were linearly correlated over the range 0.05 to 2 mM. The detection limits for both D-amygdalin and neoamygdalin were approximately 5 microM for the amount injected.

Antibacterial activity of medicinal herb extracts against Salmonella

The therapeutic potentials of twenty-two medicinal herb species traditionally used in Korea to treat gastrointestinal infections were evaluated for the treatment of salmonellosis. Candidates were primarily screened using the disk-agar method for antibacterial activity against three different Salmonella serotypes. Of the herbs tested, the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Schizandrae Fructus exhibited antibacterial activity against all three Salmonella. The extracts of this herb were further tested against 13 additional Salmonella strains of 6 different serotypes. All of these strains were also affected by these extracts, though the methanolic extract had slightly higher activity. The MIC values of this extract against the 16 Salmonella strains varied from 15.6 to 125 μg/ml. Nine of the 16 strains tested had MIC values of < 31.3 μg/ml for the methanolic extract of Schizandrae Fructus. The in vivo antibacterial activity of Schizandrae Fructus extract was examined in a S. Typhimurium infection mouse model. Mice were initially infected with S. Typhimurium, and then administered with Schizandrae Fructus extract. The extract was found to have major effects on mortality and on the numbers of viable S. Typhimurium recovered from feces. Clinical signs and histological damages were rarely observed in the treated mice, whereas the untreated controls showed clinical signs, e.g., lethargy, and histological damage in the kidney, liver, intestine, and spleen. We conclude that Schizandrae Fructus has the potential to provide an effective treatment for salmonellosis.

녹차 및 천연산물로부터 장염 비브리오균(Vibrio. parahaemolyticus)의 제어를 위한 고추장의 개발

V. pnrahaemolyticus를 저해하는 천연산물 조합 추출물을 이용하여 고추장을 제조하였다. 각각의 천연산물 및 천연산물 조합 추출물의 항산화력 크기는 ORP system value를 이용하여 측정하였고, 천연산물 조합 추출물을 이용하여 제조한 고추장을 disk 법으로 IZD (Inhibition zone divided by diameter of disk)를 측정하여 제어의 정도를 비교하였다. 그 결과 한 가지 천연산물에서는 황백, 오미자, 녹차가 높게 나타났고, 이들 천연산물을 조합했을 때도 항산화력이 높게 나타나 기능성 고추장을 제조할 수 있을 것이라 판단하였다. 그리고 항산화력이 높게 측정된 황백, 오미자, 녹차 그리고 황금의 A조합과 A조합에 오가피를 첨가한 B조합의 IZD를 측정하였을 때 각각 <TEX>$1.57\pm0.0051$</TEX>과 <TEX>$1.56\pm0.0071$</TEX>로 제어력이 뛰어나 A조합과 B조합의 천연산물의 추출물을 이용하여 고추장을 제조하였다 고추장을 제조하였을 때 A조합(IZD: <TEX>$1076\pm0.0103$</TEX>)보다 B조합(IZD: <TEX>$1079\pm0.0103$</TEX>)이 좋게 나타났고, 이 고추장으로 식초를 첨가하여 초고추장을 제조하였을 때도 A조합(IZD: <TEX>$2.15\pm0.0071$</TEX>)보다 B조합(IZD: <TEX>$2.44\pm0.0086$</TEX>)이 뛰 어난 제어력을 보였다 여기에 chitosan, 마늘, 메주의 첨가는 유의성 있는 제어력을 나타내지 못하였다. Vibriocidal GOCHUJANG was manufactured using extract of natural products and green tea. Antioxidative capacity of natural products and combination of natural products was measured with Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) system value. Inhibitory ability of vibriocidal GOCHUJANG was compared with Inhibition Zone Diameter (IZD) values. Phellodendri cortex, Schizandrae fructus, Theae folium, Scutellaria baicalensis george and Acanthodanacis cortex and combination of these natural products were showed higher antioxidant capacity and inhibitory effect against V. para-haemolyticus. Two kinds of combinations, A combination was composed of Phellodendri cortex, Schizandrae fructus, Theae folium, Scutellaria baicalensis george, and B combination was consisted of Acanthodanacis cortex and A combination, were presented higher inhibition ratio with IZD values as <TEX>$1.57\pm0.0051$</TEX> and <TEX>$1.56\pm0.0071$</TEX>, respectively. Vibriocidal GOCHUJANG was prepared based on A and B combination with their higher IZD Value as <TEX>$1.76\pm0.0103$</TEX> and <TEX>$1.79\pm0.0103$</TEX>, respectively. When vinegar was added to A and B based GOCHUJANG, their IZD value was more higher as <TEX>$2.15\pm0.0071$</TEX> and <TEX>$2.44\pm0.0086$</TEX>, respectively B combination based GOCHUJANG was exhibited higher inhibitory effect than A based GOCHUJANG. Combination of natural products was more important process for increasing vibriocidal effect. But addition of soybean malt or chitosan or a garlic into A or B combined GOCHUJANG, no different effect was exhibited.

생약제(Miracle®첨가가 포유모돈의 생산성, 자돈의 성장 및 혈액성상 변화에 미치는 영향

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary herbal extracts mixturetMiracle included Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Schizandrae Fructus, Plantago asiatica and Dioscoreae Radix) on the productivities of lactating sowsand growth performance and hematological characteristics of piglets. Twenty seven sows (Yorkshire Landrace Duroc, 1 to 3 parities) were used in a 21 day old trial. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (control; basal diet), 2) HPMO.l (basal diet + herbal plant mixture 0.1 %) and 3) HPMO.2 (basal diet + herbal plant mixture 0.2 %). Backfat thickness losses from farrowing to weaning was decreased in HPM treatmentscompared with control(linear effect, P 0.003). ADFI was decreased in sows fed herbal plant mixture(linear effect, P 0.05). In piglets, weight gain(P > 0.05) and survivability(P> 0.05) after weaning werenot affected by treatments. No statistical differences were found(P> 0.05) forhematological characteristics in piglets. In conclusion, dietary herbal plant mixture reduces backfat thickness losses and day of return to estrus and improves energy digestibility in lactating sows.