Simultaneous Determination of Lignans in Different Tissues in an Alzheimer’s Disease Rat Model by HPLC-MS/MS

The dried fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., Schisandraceae, is a popularly used traditional Chinese medicine in the clinic. Dibenzocyclooctadiene-type lignans play the major active role in the neuroprotective effect of this herbal drug. This study aims to investigate the tissue distribution of schisandrol A, schisandrin A, schisandrin B, and schisandrin C after oral administration of ethanol extracts prepared with S. chinensis fruits in an Alzheimer’s disease rat model. The concentrations of these lignans in tissues were determined by a simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography combined with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method. The model group received oral administration of 0.5 g/kg of the extract. Schisandrol A exhibited better absorption than other lignans. All component concentrations were higher in the liver than in other tissues after oral administration of the tested extract. This study is the basis for the use of S. chinensis fruits to treat Alzheimer’s disease and provides a reference for further study of the mechanism.