Schisandrins, the active lignan components of Schisandra chinensis (a traditional Chinese medicinal herb), have been explored for their hepatoprotective effects, including in the context of cirrhosis. The use of Schisandra for liver protection is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, but recent preclinical scientific studies provide some biological plausibility for its use in liver diseases, including cirrhosis. Animal studies and in vitro research demonstrate that schisandrins possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties. For example, schisandrin B has been shown to inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation and reduce collagen deposition—key pathological features of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Some studies suggest that schisandrins can modulate liver enzymes, enhance mitochondrial function, and reduce oxidative stress in damaged liver tissue.

However, most of the available evidence comes from animal models or cell culture experiments. There are few, if any, well-designed, large-scale clinical trials in humans specifically examining the efficacy and safety of schisandrins for cirrhosis. As such, while the mechanistic and preclinical data are promising, robust clinical validation is lacking. Therefore, the evidence can be considered preliminary (rated 2 out of 5). People interested in using schisandrins for liver conditions should consult healthcare professionals, as there remains uncertainty regarding dosing, efficacy, and long-term safety in humans.