Evidence supporting the use of: Schisandrin
For the body system: Adrenal Cortex

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Schisandrin, a bioactive lignan found in the fruit of Schisandra chinensis, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Schisandra is considered an "adaptogen" in TCM, believed to help the body resist stress and support adrenal function, though the concept of "adrenal support" is a modern interpretation. Historically, Schisandra was used to "tonify the kidneys" and "calm the spirit," with the kidneys in TCM sometimes loosely associated with adrenal function in Western herbalism. There is some preclinical evidence suggesting that schisandrin and related compounds may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and modulate the body's stress response in animal models. However, robust clinical trials in humans specifically demonstrating direct benefits to the adrenal cortex or its hormones (such as cortisol) are lacking.

Thus, the use of schisandrin for adrenal cortex support is justified primarily by traditional use and extrapolation from animal or cell studies, rather than strong scientific validation in humans. The evidence quality is rated as low to moderate, largely due to the absence of targeted clinical studies and the reliance on traditional frameworks and preclinical research.

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