Gomisin A: a bioactive lignan from Schisandra chinensis with diverse pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential

Gomisin A (Gom-A) is a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan reported from Schisandra chinensis, a plant commonly used in traditional Asian medicine. Studies have indicated that Gom-A has various pharmacological properties mediated through multiple molecular mechanisms. The current review summarizes these bioactivities and the mechanistic pathways underlying the therapeutic potential of Gom-A. The reported studies revealed that Gom-A has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anticancer, and metabolic regulatory activities. These activities are generally mediated by the modulation of vital signaling pathways implicated in cellular stress responses and metabolic regulation, including NF-κB, AMPK, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and TLR4-related pathways. Thus, Gom-A represses the production of inflammatory mediators, lowers oxidative stress, ameliorates mitochondrial function, and regulates apoptosis and cell survival. Gom-A improves glucose utilization and insulin resistance while minimizing adipogenesis by activating AMPK. It enhances endothelial function and NO signaling in the vascular system. Anticancer investigations further revealed that Gom-A inhibits tumor cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and reverses multidrug resistance by modulating P-glycoprotein activity, suggesting its potential as a multi-target bioactive compound. Despite the promising biological capacity of Gom-A, further mechanistic, pharmacokinetic, and clinical investigations are necessary to define its therapeutic applications.