Abstract: Objective: To campare the differences of contents and relative effects of lignans from 4 strains of Schisandra chinensis, and to provide the experimental basis for the precise selection and application.Methods: The contents of 7 kinds of lignans from 4 strains of Schisandra chinensis were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant effects of 4 strains of Schisandra chinensis were compared by measuring the abilities of reduction, scavenging of DPPH free radical and inhibiting linoleic acid oxidation in vitro. Sixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into normal control group, alcoholic liver injury model group (model group),Schisandra chinensis YH group, (YH group), Schisandra chinensis SH group (SH group),Schisandra chinensis 156-5-2 group(156-5-2 group) and Schisandra chinensis 50-1-5 group (50-1-5 group), 10 mice in each group. One hour after the last administration, the mice in normal control group were given the equal volume of distilled water, and those in the other groups were intragastrically given 50% alcohol (12 mL·kg^-1). All the mice were fasted, but with free access to water for 12 h and executed, and the liver and serum were obtained. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum of the mice, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the levels of triglyceride (TG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver tissue of the mice were determined.Results: The total content of lignan monomers in Schisandra chinensis YH was the highest, the second was Schisandra chinensis SH, and 156-5-2 and 50-1-5 were later. Except for 156-5-2, other 3 kinds of Schisandra chinensis had strong antioxidant effects, and the order of antioxidant activity was YH>SH>50-1-5. Compared with model group, the ALT and AST levels in the serum and the levels of MDA and TG in the liver tissue of the mice in YH group were decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01);the TG level in the liver tissue of the mice in SH group was reduced significantly (P<0.05), but the serum ALT and AST levels didn't change significantly(P>0.05);the ALT level in the serum of the mice in 156-5-2 group was decreased(P<0.05), but the MDA and TG levels in the liver tissue didn't change significantly(P>0.05).Conclusion: In 4 strains of Schisandra chinensis, YH has the highest content of lignans, has the strongest antioxidant effect in vitro,and has the best protective effect on acute alcoholic liver injury.

Key words: Schisandra chinensis, lignans, antioxidant, alcoholic liver injury