Some time ago the fruits of S. chinensis were found to lower elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels and were introduced in the treatment of hepatitis. Schisantherins A,B,C, and D were found to decrease SGPT levels in experimental animals and of patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Intragastric administration of schisantherin A gave protection against CCl4 induced liver damage in mice, as evidenced by electron microscopy. Biochemical studies revealed that the lowered blood transaminase activity by schisantherin A was due to an inhibition of the enzyme activity in the liver. Schisandrin A showed not only a decreasing effect on SGPT activities, but also on those of liver glutamic pyruvic transaminase (LGPT).

S.chinensis was able to mitigate the pathological changes induced by carbon tetrachloride intoxication in mice, such as the appearance of central necrosis of liver lobules and decrease of basophilic substances, mitochondria and ribonucleic acid, glycogen acid and phosphatase, ATPase, succinic acid dehydrogenase and monoamine oxidase, as well as the prescence of large amounts of lipid globules. It is believed that the protective action of the herb is due to the promotion of hepatocellular protein anabolism, thereby facilitating the recovery as well as the regeneration of mitochondria.

S.chinensis has been shown to promote the synthesis of glycogen and glucogenolysis, and enhance phosphorylation of fructose and glucose in the brain, liver, and muscles. The herb increased blood glucose and lactic acid. The glucose tolerance test in rabbits showed that the herb was able to improve the utilization of glucose.

Similar to ginseng, S.chinensis has adaptogen-like action, increasing the resistance of the body onload="highlight();" against non-specific stimuli.

S.chinensis also antagonized testosterone-induced adrenal atrophy: it did not affect the vitamin C content of the adrenal gland though it prevented changes caused by hydrocortisone.

An inhibitory activity was exhibited by the ethanol extract of S.chinensis in vitro against Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Salmonella paratyphi A and B, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Vibrio cholerae Salmonella enteritidis, Enterobacter aerogenes and Proteus vulgaris. Strong antibacterial action was also exhibited against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

More than 5000 cases of various types of hepatitis had been treated with S. chinensis preparations: the short term effects for lowering the SGPT was quite good : the aggregate effective rate was 84-97%; SGPT was normalised in about 75% of treated cases.

Out of 86 cases with elevated SGPT due to drugs, 83 cases had normal SGPT after 1-4 weeks of treatment. Enzyme activity decreased even without discontinulation of hepatotoxic drugs.

S. chinensis decoction significantly stimulated respiration in normal rabbits and in anesthetized rabbits and dogs, causing deep and rapid breathing. It antagonized morphine-induced respiratory depression.

S.chinensis has been shown to have a stimulant action at various levels of the central nervous system. In animal experiments it was proved that the herb enhanced the spinal reflex and shortened its latent period. Studies on the conditioned reflex showed that the oral dose frist acted on the cerebrocortical inhibitory mechanism, strengtheining and centralizing the process so that positive induction was produced. This action resulted in improved differentiation and in the balance between excitatory and inhibitory control mechanisms of the cerebral cortex.

Except those noted, all references come from Weng Weiliang, et al., Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998