OBJECTIVETo establish a quick method for evaluation of the antioxidant activities based on the correlation analysis of lignans content and antioxidant activities of Schisandra chinensis fruits.

METHODThe content of five lignans components in 37 batches of S. chinensis fruits from different regions of Jilin province were measured by HPLC. Simultaneously, the antioxidant activities of the above samples were detected, such as lipid peroxidation inhibition activity in liver (LPIL), kidney (LPIK) and brain (LPIB) and the clearance rate of DPPH (CRD). Bivariate correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis were carried out by the software of SPSS for windows 11.5.

RESULTThe results of bivariate correlation analysis showed that deoxyschizandrin was negative correlation (P<0.01) to the activity of LPIL, LPIB, CRD. Schisandrin was positive correlation (P<0.01) to the activity of LPIL, LPIB, CRD. Schisandrol B was also positive correlation (P<0.05 or P<0.01) to the above four kinds of antioxidant activity. The results of stepwise regression analysis were mostly consistent with the bivariate correlation analysis results. For the other 10 batches of samples, the simulated antioxidant activities according to the regression equation calculated was consistent with the measured activities.

CONCLUSIONBy using the bivariate correlation analysis and linear stepwise regression analysis, the bioactive components related to the antioxidant activity of S. chinensis fruits were found. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activity of samples will be inferred according to the content of Schisandra lignans.