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). 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 nonpolar 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.