Schisandra
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 164 participants, researched for Liver Protection, Cognitive Function, Adaptogen and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Liver Protection
ModerateCognitive Function
WeakAdaptogen
ModerateMetabolic & Athletic Performance
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Liver Protection
To review Schisandra fruits for drug-induced liver injury management in China
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review Schisandra fruits for drug-induced liver injury management in China
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple clinical studies reviewed
Duration
Various
Results
Schisandra demonstrated significant hepatoprotective effects in drug-induced liver injury cases in China. Schisandrin B confirmed as key hepatoprotective compound. PMID: 31004881
How They Measured It
Liver enzyme reduction, hepatoprotection evidence
To assess Schisandra extract on liver function in patients with chronic hepatitis
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess Schisandra extract on liver function in patients with chronic hepatitis
Dose
1.5 g/day schisandrin B
Participants
120 chronic hepatitis patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Schisandra significantly reduced liver enzyme levels and improved liver histology scores in chronic hepatitis patients compared to control. PMID: 12083987
How They Measured It
ALT, AST, GGT, liver histology
To evaluate Schisandra on CCl4-induced liver injury protection
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate Schisandra on CCl4-induced liver injury protection
Dose
Schisandra chinensis extract 500 mg/kg
Participants
Rats with CCl4-induced liver injury
Duration
3 weeks
Results
Schisandra significantly reduced liver enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and histological damage. Antioxidant enzymes significantly elevated, confirming hepatoprotective mechanism.
How They Measured It
AST, ALT, liver histology, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation
To assess protective effects of Schisandra on Phase I drug metabolism in CCl4 model
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To assess protective effects of Schisandra on Phase I drug metabolism in CCl4 model
Dose
SC polysaccharides extract
Participants
Rats
Duration
2 weeks
Results
Schisandra protected CYP450 enzyme systems and liver microsomal function against CCl4 toxicity, maintaining Phase I metabolic capacity. PMID: 10616961
How They Measured It
CYP450 enzymes, liver microsomal function, oxidative stress
Cognitive Function
To investigate Schisandra chinensis essential oil on cognitive decline via inflammation
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate Schisandra chinensis essential oil on cognitive decline via inflammation
Dose
Essential oil SC extract
Participants
Mice
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Schisandra essential oil significantly ameliorated cognitive decline by reducing hippocampal neuroinflammation and preserving hippocampal neurons. PMID: 31463498
How They Measured It
Morris water maze, hippocampal inflammatory markers
To review neuroprotective and cognitive enhancement properties of Schisandra lignans
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review neuroprotective and cognitive enhancement properties of Schisandra lignans
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Schisandra lignans (schisandrin A/B/C, gomisin A/N) demonstrated neuroprotective effects including anti-amyloid, anti-tau, antioxidant, and anti-neuroinflammatory properties. PMID: 31004881
How They Measured It
Comprehensive review of lignans research
To investigate schisandrin A on Alzheimer's disease cognitive and neuropathological markers
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate schisandrin A on Alzheimer's disease cognitive and neuropathological markers
Dose
20 mg/kg schisandrin A
Participants
Rats with STZ-induced Alzheimer's
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Schisandrin A significantly improved cognitive function, reduced amyloid-beta levels, decreased tau phosphorylation, and reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress in Alzheimer's model.
How They Measured It
Spatial memory, amyloid-beta, tau phosphorylation, neuroinflammation
Adaptogen
To evaluate Schisandra adaptogenic effects on sports performance and recovery
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Schisandra adaptogenic effects on sports performance and recovery
Dose
1.35 g/day SC extract
Participants
40 trained athletes
Duration
10 days
Results
Schisandra supplementation significantly reduced cortisol response to exercise stress and improved testosterone/cortisol ratio, with enhanced performance recovery.
How They Measured It
Cortisol, testosterone, physical performance, fatigue
To investigate Schisandra adaptogenic mechanisms on HPA axis and stress response
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate Schisandra adaptogenic mechanisms on HPA axis and stress response
Dose
Various SC extract doses
Participants
Chronically stressed rats
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Schisandra significantly modulated HPA axis response, reducing corticosterone and ACTH while maintaining normal function, confirming adaptogenic activity. PMID: 31431019
How They Measured It
Corticosterone, ACTH, adrenal gland weight, stress biomarkers
To review Schisandra chinensis phytotherapeutical applications and clinical evidence
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review Schisandra chinensis phytotherapeutical applications and clinical evidence
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Schisandra demonstrated adaptogenic, CNS stimulatory, hepatoprotective, and potential anticancer effects through dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans. Extensive safety and efficacy evidence reviewed. PMID: 31431019
How They Measured It
Comprehensive review of adaptogenic, hepatoprotective, CNS evidence
Metabolic & Athletic Performance
To evaluate Omija (Schisandra chinensis) extract mixture on hyperglycemia improvement.
Study Type
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Omija (Schisandra chinensis) extract mixture on hyperglycemia improvement.
Dose
Schisandra chinensis standardized extract mixture
Participants
Adults with mild hyperglycemia
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Schisandra chinensis extract mixture significantly improved fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and insulin sensitivity compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), safety markers
To evaluate the effect of Saengmaeksan (Schisandra-containing herbal formula) on fatigue, liver function, and immunity combined with high-intensity training.
Study Type
Randomized Controlled Trial
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of Saengmaeksan (Schisandra-containing herbal formula) on fatigue, liver function, and immunity combined with high-intensity training.
Dose
Saengmaeksan herbal formula containing Schisandra
Participants
Athletes undergoing high-intensity training
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Saengmaeksan supplementation significantly reduced exercise-induced fatigue, protected liver function, and improved immune markers in athletes.
How They Measured It
Fatigue scores, liver function tests (ALT, AST), immune markers, athletic performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Schisandra research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), involving 164 total participants. Research covers Liver protection, Cognitive function, Adaptogen. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (4 human studies, 5 animal studies), and reported outcomes.
Schisandra has been researched for: Liver protection, Cognitive function, Adaptogen. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 4 out of 12 studies are human trials. The remaining 5 are animal studies. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
Similar Supplements
Other supplements researched for similar health goals
