Anti-oxidant activity of dibenzocyclooctene lignans isolated from Schisandraceae

The anti-oxidant activity of nine dibenzocyclooctene lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis, S. rubriflora, and Kadsura longipedunculata, respectively, was studied. Seven of the 9 lignans (1 mM) inhibited iron/cysteine-induced lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA, formation) of rat liver microsomes as well as superoxide anion production in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. The actions of the 7 lignans were much more potent than vitamin E at the same concentration of 1 mM. Among the lignans, schisanhenol was the most active one. This compound also prevented the decrease of membrane fluidity of liver microsomes induced by iron/cysteine. The results indicated that seven of the lignans such as schisanhenol have anti-oxidant activities.