A comparative study on chemical characteristics, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activity from different parts of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus

Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus which whole fruit have been utilized as a traditional medicine has attracted an increasingly attention as a product for both medical and edible. However, less research has been done on distribution of chemical constituents and relevant bioactivities in pulp and kernel. In this paper, the chemical components in the pulp and kernel of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus were compared by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, and 10 lignans with great differences were quantitatively analyzed by HPLC. The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of pulp and kernel were compared in corresponding vivo and vitro models. This outcome indicated that the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of kernel was the stronger than that of pulp. Suggesting that the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus was primarily based on the lignin components which mainly exists in kernel and providing evidence for its extensive uses in the health care system. Practical applications The whole fruit of Schisandra chinensis is a dual-purpose product for both medical and edible. Understanding the chemical composition and activity differences of kernel and pulp in the fruit is particularly important for the rational utilization of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. This study comprehensively explained the differences of chemical constituents and antioxidant activity. In addition, the divergences of hepatoprotective activity between its kernel and pulp were reported for the first time. The information will contribute to the further development and utilization of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus in health care.