Schisandrin C

Schisandrin C (Schizandrin-C) is a phytochemical lignan isolated from Schizandra chinensis^[1]. Schisandrin C has diverse biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Schisandrin C can be used for cancer, alzheimer’s disease, and liver diseases research^[2][3]. Schisandrin C induces cell apoptosis^[1]. In Vitro:Schisandrin C (25-100 μM; 48 hours) down-regulates expression levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and a concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). It also activates caspase-3 and -9 in U937 cells^[2].
Schisandrin C (25-100 μM; 48 hours) induces apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. And the fragmentation of genomic DNA is also increased in U937 cells^[1].
Schisandrin C (25-100 μM; 72 hours) induces G1 arrest, it down-regulates cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 4 and E2Fs expression, and also exhibits inhibition of pRB, and up-regulation of the Cdk inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1)^[1].
In Vivo:Schisandrin C (lateral ventricle injection (i.c.v.); 15-150 μg/kg; 5 days) reduces Aβ1-42-induced memory deficits in the Y-maze test. Neurons in the hippocampus of Schisandrin C (15 μg/kg)-treated group returned to normal level, and and Schisandrin C (150 μg/kg) has slight neuroprotective effects Aβ1-42-induced group. Schisandrin C (15 μg/kg) recoveres the activities of SOD and GSHPx and the ratios of GSH, decreases the levels of ChEtotal in the brain of the Aβ1-42-induced amnesic mice simultaneously^[3].