Separation and Purification of Schisandrin B from Fructus Schisandrae

Schisandrin B (Sch B) is the most abundant and biologically active dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan present in Fructus Schisandrae (FS). In the past two decades, the pharmacological activities of Sch B have been extensively investigated. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting its health benefits in the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases including protection against oxidative liver, heart and brain damage. Recently, Sch B was also found to be a potential adjuvant for cancer chemotherapy. Thus, it is a highly desirable ingredient for a dietary supplement.

While Sch B has been isolated from FS in the laboratory, the experimental procedure was usually lengthy and the yield was relatively low. The objective of this study is to develop a process that is amenable to large-scale recovery of Sch B from FS. The process starts with solid-liquid extraction of FS by petroleum ether to yield a Sch B-containing extract, which is then purified by removing the relatively non-polar substances, mostly fatty oils, by an adsorption-desorption step. This is followed by a chromatographic process to isolate the Sch B-enriched fraction that is then used to yield Sch B by crystallization.