Schizandra berry is that of Schisandra sphenanthera which has a similar but different biochemical profile; the Chinese pharmaceopia distinguishes between Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera.

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract from the fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera has resulted in isolation of seven new oxygenated lignans (1–7), in addition to 11 known compounds (8–18).
Seven new oxygenated lignans have been isolated from the fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera. Compound 2 is the first new natural lignin with a 6,7-seco-dibenzocyclooctadiene system. Nortriterpenoids, sphenadilactone C (1) and sphenasin A (2), together with four known lignans (3–6), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandrasphenanthera. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and compound 2 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.