Lignans from Schisandra hernyi with DNA cleaving activity and cytotoxic effect on leukemia and Hela cells in vitro

The lignans, gomisin G (1), schisantherin A (2), benzoylgomisin Q (3) and isoanwulignan (4) were isolated from the stems of Schisandra henryi. Compound 1 showed moderate DNA strand scission activity and significant cytotoxic effect on leukemia and Hela cells in vitro. Compound 1 represents a new type of DNA strand scission agent.