Schisandrin A is a lignan that has been found in Schisandra and has diverse biological activities. It binds to adiponectin receptor 2 (IC50 = 3.2 μM). Schisandrin A (10, 20, and 50 μM) reduces LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), IL-6, and TNF-α and apoptosis in primary mouse microglial cells. It reverses P-glycoprotein-mediated doxorubicin resistance in MCF-7/dox cells when used at a concentration of 20 μM. Schisandrin A (4, 12, and 36 mg/kg) reverses short-term and spatial memory deficits, as well as decreases in cerebral superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities induced by amyloid β (1-42) (Aβ42; ) in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.
