Extracts and lignans of Schisandra chinensis fruit alter lipid and glucose metabolism in vivo and in vitro

The antihyperlipidaemic effect and potential mechanisms of Schisandra chinensis fruit extract were investigated in hamsters fed with a high-fat diet. Treating with SF extract significantly decreased the serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alleviated insulin resistance, attenuated inflammation and declined liver lipid accumulation. The expression and activities of key lipid-metabolic regulators were altered to the lipid-lowering side. Screening of different fractions of SF extract for lipid-lowering activities revealed that the lignan-rich fraction was the most effective. Eight abundant lignans were isolated from the major active fraction of SF extract, in which schisandrols A, B and schisandrins B, C showed significant lipid-lowering effects in HepG2 cells, and schisandrin C was potent in decreasing the blood lipids in Triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidaemic mice. Overall, these results indicated that the extract and lignans in SF were effective regulators of lipogenesis and could be useful for treating hyperlipidaemia.