Schisandra chinensis have been traditionally used in Asia for the treatment of dyspnea, cough, mouth dryness, spontaneous diaphoresis, nocturnal diaphoresis, nocturnal emission, dysentery, insomnia and amnesia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of Schisandra chinensis on oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation induced by ROS in non cellular and cellular system. DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay were used to measure the antioxidant activities. Phi X-174RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay and intracellular DNA migration assay were used to evaluate the protective effect on oxidative DNA damage. MTT assay and lipid peroxidation assay were used for evaluating the protective effect on oxidative cell damage. It was found to scavenge DPPH radical, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical and it inhibited oxidative DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and cell death induced by hydroxyl radical. These data indicate that Schisandra chinensis possesses a spectrum of antioxidant and DNA-protective properties

An efficient somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration protocol was developed for Schisandra chinensis Baill, using embryogenic cell suspensions and optimized media conditions. Friable embryogenic callus was induced from cotyledonary leaf and hypocotyl explants of 7 days old seedlings on MS agar medium supplemented with 1.0 to 4.0 mg l-1 of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Fast growing and well dispersed embryogenic cell suspensions were developed within two months when embryogenic calli were transferred to MS liquid medium containing 1.0 mg l-1 2,4-D. One third strength of MS medium was the best for both overall growth and development of somatic embryos in liquid culture. Over 3400 viable somatic embryos were produced from each 150 ml flask with an initial cell density of 30 mg in 30 ml medium. Germinated somatic embryos developed in liquid medium converted into plantlets after transferred to half-strength MS semi-solid medium. Approximately 90% of the converted plantlets were successfully transplanted to soil and grew into fertile plants.

공기주입형 생물반응기를 이용하여 오미자 현탁배양세포로부터 Gomisin J의 생산 가능성을 확인 하였다. 시료의 초기접종 농도와 탄소원의 농도에 따른 세포증식과 Gomisin J의 생산성은 6% sucrose가 첨가된 MB5배지 에 100 g (FCW)의 현탁배양세포를 접종하였을 경우 세포중량 (dry biomass)과 Gomisin J의 함량은 각각 43.5 g DCW/과 0.71 × 10-3 μg/g DCW을 얻을 수 있었다. 배양기내 산소의 공급량은 0.5로 공급해 주는게 바람직 할 것으로 사료되었다.

Transformed roots of Schisandra chinensis were obtained following co-cultivation of in vitro cultivated plantlet segments with Agrobaterium rhizogens ATCC15834. This root was examined for its growth and gomisin J contents under various culture conditions. Among the six basal culture media tested, WPM (Lloyd & McCown, 1980) medium supplemented with 5% sucrose was the best roots growth 6.2 (g D.W/flask) and gomisin J accumulation 1.56 (X10-3 ug/g D.W). Initial inoculum size correlated with the yield of biomass while gomisin J contents was not affect. Gomisin J production was influenced by the initial sucrose concentration and the highest production yield was achieved at the concentration of 7%. The optimal shaking speeds for roots growth and gomisin J production was 120 and 140 rpm, respectively.

Cell growth and gomisin J production by suspension cultures of Schisandra chinensis Baillon were investigated under various culture media, initial sucrose concentrations, shaking speeds, and inoculum sizes. Callus was induced from in vitro cultivated leaf segments on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l NAA. The maximum dry cell weight of 2.23 g was obtained at inoculum size of 0.5 g fresh cell weight and in MB5 medium supplemented with 1 mg/l NAA, 3% sucrose after 8 weeks. The production of gomisin J in suspension cell cultures was maximized in WPM medium containing 5% sucrose. The shaking speed for maintaining maximal cell dry weight was 100 rpm while the best shaking speed for gomisin J accumulation was 140 rpm.

“Cheongsun-OmiJa”, a new cultivar of Schisandraceae vine (Schisandra chinensis Baillon) was developed at Jinan Medicinal Herbs Experiment Station, Jeollabuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services in 2002. Collections was made on local lines from