Product name: Schisandrin B
Synonym name: Schizandrin B; Wuweizisu B; γ-Schisandrin
Catalogue No.: BP1262
Cas No.: 61281-37-6
Formula: C₂₃H₂₈O₆
Mol Weight: 400.471
Botanical Source: Schisandra chinensis（Turcz.）Baill.
Physical Description:
Type of Compound: Lignans

Purity: 95%~99%
Analysis Method: HPLC-DAD or/and HPLC-ELSD
Identification Method: Mass, NMR
Packing: Brown vial or HDPE plastic bottle

Storage: Store in a well closed container, protected from air and light. Put into refrigerate or freeze for long term storage.
Whenever possible, you should prepare and use solutions on the same day. However, if you need to make up stock solutions in advance, we recommend that you store the solution as aliquots in tightly sealed vials at -20℃. Generally, these will be useable for up to two weeks.

The product could be supplied from milligrams to grams
Inquire for bulk scale.

Description:

Schisandrin B, a kind of ATR and P-gp inhibitor with high safety, has been shown to produce antioxidant effect on rodent liver and heart. It also has anti-photoaging, and presents promising activities for future development of protective agents against CisPt nephrotoxicity. Combination of schizandrin B and paclitaxel(PTX) can enhance anti-tumor effects and relieve side effects of PTX on rats with mammary carcinoma.

References:

J Appl Toxicol. 2014 Dec;34(12):1311-9.    

Protective effects of schizandrin and schizandrin B towards cisplatin nephrotoxicity in vitro.   

Renal proximal tubular epithelial cells are the main targets of toxic drugs such as cisplatin (CisPt), an alkylating agent indicated for the treatment of solid organ tumors. Current techniques aiming at reducing nephrotoxicity in patients receiving CisPt are still not satisfactory as they can only partially prevent acute kidney injury. New nephroprotective strategies remain to be developed. 

METHODS AND RESULTS:

In the present in vitro study, schizandrin (Schi) and Schizandrin B (Schi B), major phytochemicals from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. fruits, were tested on HK-2 cells along four processes that could help alleviate CisPt toxicity. Results indicated that: (i) both Schi and Schi B enhanced cell survival via reducing apoptosis rate; (ii) only Schi showed moderate effects towards modulation of regeneration capacities of healthy cells; (iii) both Schi and Schi B limited extracellular matrix deposition; and (iv) both compounds could help preventing dedifferentiation processes via the β-catenin pathway. 

CONCLUSIONS:

Schi and Schi B present promising activities for future development of protective agents against CisPt nephrotoxicity.    

Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1989 Jul;10(4):353-6.    

Action of schizandrin B, an antioxidant, on lipid peroxidation in primary cultured hepatocytes. 

METHODS AND RESULTS:

The action of Schizandrin B (Sin B) was observed in freshly isolated hepatocytes damaged by FeSO4/cysteine and CCl4. Two types of free radicals, .OH and .CCl3, generated from FeSO4/cysteine and CCl4, respectively, induced lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes. It was found that the speed of lipid peroxidation (MDA production) and the degree of alteration in hepatocyte morphology were closely related to the type of free radicals. MDA production and membrane protrusion of hepatocytes injuries by FeSO4/cysteine were faster and more severe than those observed with CCl4. Sin B was shown to decrease the production of MDA and the release of GPT and LDH, and to increase hepatocyte viability as well as maintaining the integrity of the hepatocyte membrane surface. These actions of Sin B were stronger than vitamin E at the same concentration. It was observed that no inhibitory effect of phenobarbital, a typical inducer of cytochrome P-450, as Sin B induced liver cytochrome P-450, on MDA production in hepatocytes damaged by FeSO4/cysteine. 

CONCLUSIONS:

The results suggest that Sin B possesses antioxidant activity.    

J. Pract. Med., 2012, 28(15):2506-9.    

Experimental research on Schizandrin B enhancing sensitivity to paclitaxel on rats with mammary carcinoma.[Reference: WebLink]    

To investigate the effects of Schizandrin B (Sch B) on enhancing sensitivity to paclitaxel (PTX) on rats with mammary carcinoma.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Fifty BALB/c rats were randomly divided into five groups, 10 animals of each group: a normal control (NC) group, model control (MC) group, PTX group, Sch B group and PTX + Sch B group. Sch B was administered to the rats by intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 10mg/kg once per day for 22 days. while PTX was every 2 days. The body weight, gross tumor volume, inhibition rate of tumor growth and organ index were observed. Compared with the MC group, the body weight in both the PTX group and Sch B + PTX group began to decrease since the 7th day of administration, the difference in weight was significant by statistics. Compared with the PTX group, the body weight in the Sch B + PTX group was elevated, but the difference was not significant. The inhibition rate in the PTX group was 15.7% and that in the Sch B + PTX group 25.9%. Compared with the MC group, the spleen index in PTX group and the Sch B + PTX group was significantly lower (P = 0.008 and 0.000, respectively). Compared with the PTX group, the spleen index in the Sch B + PTX group was lower, but the difference was not significant. Compared with the PTX group, the thyroid and adrenal gland index in the Sch B + PTX group was significantly elevated (P = 0.000 and 0.011, respectively). 

CONCLUSIONS:

Combination of Sch B and PTX can enhance anti-tumor effects and relieve side effects of PTX on rats with mammary carcinoma.    

HPLC of Schisandrin B

Storage conditions：Short-term storage at 2~8℃, long-term storage at -20 ~ -80℃

Introduction/Overview

Schisandrin B (CAS No.: 61281-37-6) is an important biphenylcycloptadiene derivative isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Schisandra chinensis. As a widely used medicinal plant in China and East Asia, Schisandra has long been renowned for its effects in regulating liver function, enhancing immunity, and anti-aging. As one of the main active ingredients in Schisandra, Schisandra ethylene has recently attracted widespread attention from scholars both domestically and internationally due to its remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell-protective effects, especially its potential for liver and heart protection.

Liver cancer, a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide, has a complex pathogenesis and limited treatment options that prompt researchers to continuously explore new and effective therapies. Schisandra ethylene has become a hot topic in natural anti-liver cancer research due to its multi-target regulatory capabilities, especially its potential role in modulating hepatic cancer-related signaling pathways. This paper aims to systematically review the chemical structure, origin, pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, and druggability evaluation of Schisandra ethylene, explore its application prospects in liver cancer and related diseases, and provide a theoretical basis for subsequent drug development and clinical research.

Chemical structure and physicochemical properties

The chemical name of Schisandra ethylene is γ-Schisandrin, with a molecular formula of C24H32O7 and a molecular weight of 400.4710. Its structural feature is a biphenylcycloctadiene backbone with multiple methoxy and hydroxyl substituents, giving it unique chemical properties and bioactivity. The LogP value of Schisandra acetogen is 4.4822, indicating high lipid solubility, which helps penetrate cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier (BBB has high permeability). Its polar surface area (TPSA) is 55.38, indicating moderate polarity that helps bind to biomacromolecules.

Its extremely low water solubility (0.0008 mg/mL) suggests that its bioavailability in vivo may be limited and requires improved solubility through reasonable formulation design. The hERG channel inhibition test was negative, indicating that Schisandra ethyl has good electrophysiological safety for the heart. The Ames test result was 0.6, indicating a low genotoxicity risk and a solid safety foundation.

Plant Origins and Extraction Methods

Schisandra acetosein mainly comes from the fruit of Schisandra, which is the dried mature fruit of Schisandra chinensis, a plant in the Schisandra family, widely distributed in Northeast China, the Korean Peninsula, and Russia's Far East. Schisandra contains abundant lignan compounds, with Schisandra ethylene being a typical representative.

Traditional extraction methods mostly use organic solvent extraction such as ethanol or methanol extraction, combined with liquid-liquid separation and column chromatography for separation and purification. In recent years, to improve extraction efficiency and purity, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification technologies have been widely applied. The specific steps include:

1. After crushing the raw materials, extract with 70%-95% ethanol, reflux at room temperature or after heating for several hours;
2. After filtration and concentration, separation is carried out using a solvent system of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol;
3. Further purification is performed by silica gel column chromatography or reversed-phase C18 column;
4. Finally, purity is verified by HPLC to ensure the acetic content of Schisandra meets the standard.

This extraction process balances yield and active ingredient stability, making it suitable for large-scale preparation.

Pharmacological activity research

The pharmacological activities of Schisandra ethylene cover antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cell-protective, and antitumor aspects, with particularly outstanding performance in liver and heart protection.

Antioxidant effects

Schisandra acetin can significantly enhance the body's antioxidant defense system, increase the activity of key antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduce the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product. Animal experiments have shown that Schisandra ethylene significantly alleviates oxidative damage to liver and heart tissues, reduces free radical-mediated cell damage, and protects the structure and function of cell membranes.

Prevents liver damage

Multiple in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that Schisandra Ethylene can prevent and treat drug-induced liver injury, alcoholic liver injury, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis, reducing inflammatory responses, and regulating metabolic enzyme activity. It inhibits collagen deposition and stellate cell activation in liver fibrosis models, demonstrating anti-fibrotic potential.

Antitumor effects

For liver cancer, Schisandra ethylene demonstrates multi-target antitumor activity. Cell experiments have shown that it can inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In animal models, Schisandra ethylene delays tumor growth and reduces metastatic capacity. Its antitumor effects are closely related to the regulation of multiple signaling pathways.

Heart protection

Schisandra ethylene reduces myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, lowers myocardial cell apoptosis, and improves cardiac function. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are the main mechanisms of heart protection.

Mechanism of action and molecular targets

The pharmacological effects of Schisandra Ethylene involve multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways, and it especially demonstrates multi-level regulatory capabilities in liver cancer treatment.

Key targets

• BCL2: Schisandra acetin promotes apoptosis of liver cancer cells by regulating the expression of BCL2 family proteins, restoring intracellular apoptosis.
• STAT3: Inhibits STAT3 signaling pathway activity, blocking its promoting effects on tumor cell proliferation and immune evasion.
• TOP1: Affects DNA topoisomerase I activity, interfering with DNA replication and repair in tumor cells.
• TERT: Inhibits telomerase reverse transcriptase, limiting the unlimited proliferation capacity of tumor cells.
• PIK3CA/AKT1: Regulates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, inhibiting cell survival and migration.
• MMP9: Reduces matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression and inhibits tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
• EGFR: Blocks epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation.
• TP53: Activates tumor suppressor protein p53, promoting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
• NFKB1: Inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway, reduces inflammatory responses, and suppresses the cancer-promoting effects of the tumor microenvironment.

Mechanism summary

Schisandra ethylene achieves proliferation inhibition, apoptosis induction, invasion and metastasis blocking, and immune regulation of liver cancer cells through multi-target and multi-pathway synergistic effects. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties further enhance cellular protection, helping to improve the liver microenvironment and inhibit tumor development.

Druggability evaluation and pharmacokinetics

The druggability evaluation of Schisandra Ethyl shows it has certain potential for drug development.

Physical and chemical properties

• Molecular weight 400.4710, meeting the molecular weight requirements of the Lipinski rule.
• LogP 4.4822 has high lipid solubility, which facilitates cell membrane penetration but may affect water solubility and oral absorption.
• TPSA 55.38, moderate polarity, facilitates biofilm penetration.
• Water solubility is extremely low, suggesting the need for pharmacological methods to improve its bioavailability.

Pharmacokinetic characteristics

Schisandra ethylene has a high ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, indicating its potential to affect the central nervous system and expand its range of applications. It does not inhibit hERG channels, reducing the risk of cardiotoxicity. Ames test results showed low genotoxicity risk and good safety.

Currently, data on its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) in vivo are limited. Some studies indicate that it metabolizes rapidly in the liver, mainly through hepatic enzyme systems, exhibiting a first-pass effect that affects oral bioavailability. In the future, further systematic pharmacokinetic studies are needed to optimize the administration regimen.

Prospects and outlooks for clinical applications

As a natural product, Schisandra Ethylene, with its multi-target and multi-mechanism pharmacological properties, shows broad application prospects in the treatment of liver cancer and related liver diseases. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell-protective effects not only aid in adjunctive treatment of liver cancer but may also play a positive role in liver fibrosis, hepatitis, and cardiovascular diseases.

However, current clinical research on Schisandra ethylene is still in its early stages and lacks systematic clinical trial data. Future research should focus on the following aspects:

1. Pharmacokinetics and safety evaluation: clarify in vivo metabolic pathways, half-life, and toxicological characteristics to ensure safety and efficacy.
2. Dosage Form Optimization: Overcoming limitations of poor water solubility and low bioavailability, developing novel drug delivery systems (such as nanocarriers, liposomes, etc.).
3. Clinical trial design: Conduct multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trials targeting liver cancer and liver diseases to verify efficacy and safety.
4. In-depth Mechanism Research: By integrating modern molecular biology techniques, we further reveal its action network and uncover potential new targets.
5. Combination therapy strategy: Explore synergistic effects with existing anti-tumor drugs to enhance treatment outcomes and reduce side effects.

In summary, as a promising natural drug candidate molecule, Schisandra acetin is expected to become a new treatment option for liver cancer and related diseases in the future.

Conclusion

As an important active ingredient in Schisandra, Schisandra acetin has become a hot topic in natural product pharmacology research due to its unique biphenylcycloptadiene structure and significant antioxidant and antitumor activities. Its multi-target regulatory role in liver cancer-related signaling pathways provides new ideas and strategies for liver cancer treatment. Although its clinical application is still in its early stages, with advances in pharmacokinetic research and formulation development, Schisandra Ethylene is expected to become a safe and effective natural medicine in the future, advancing the treatment of liver cancer and liver diseases. Future research should focus on systematic clinical validation and mechanism elucidation to achieve translational applications from the laboratory to clinical practice.