S. Chinensis has been used as a tonic, sedative and forgetfulness (CNS action) in China. Pan et al., 2002 shows some evidence that g-Schisandrin enhances cognitive function in mice (passive avoidance response)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schisandrine at 1.59 mM concentration is able to reduce beta amyloid deposits as well as Birrefringent material

 

 

Schisandrine at 0.14 mM concentration is able to completely reduce beta amyloid deposits as well as Birrefringent material

 

These results strongly suggest that schisandrins are able to inhibit amyloid peptide formation in vitro and in vivo. 

 

In the majority of neurodegenerative processes there is an over excitation of the glutamate pathway.  It is known, that glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Endogenous glutamate, may contribute to the brain damage occurring acutely after seizures, cerebral ischemia or traumatic brain injury. It may also contribute in naturally-occurring age related neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer, Huntingtons’s chorea, Parkinson’s disease, “Transmissible Spongiform Encepholopaties”. 

 

Rats injected with ibotenate (a substance that induces excitotoxic damage to the brain cells (hippocampus) are used to study learning capacity. The hippocampus is the main target for the study of memory (short and long term).  Mice were train in Morris water maze .  Escape latency and spatial Acuity are measured. 

 

 

 

 

Mice induced with IBO, treated with Schisandrin are showing better Escape Latency and spatial acuity compared to normal control mice.  This study showed that Schisandrins inhibits the neurotoxicity of ibotenate and cognitive impairment.