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The work presents the botanical, chemical and pharmacological characteristics of Schisandra chinensis (Chinese magnolia vine). S. chinensis fruits are a valuable medicinal raw material known in modern phytotherapy from the traditional Chinese medicine. This species was introduced to conventional European medicine, including Polish one, just ten years ago. S. chinensis fruit extract shows hepatoprotective, adaptogenic and ergogenic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antioxidant and detoxification effects. The valuable biological properties and resulting therapeutic applications, are conditioned by the unique chemical composition of S. chinensis. In presented work, a group of secondary metabolites typical for this species - dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, were characterized. The provided information was enriched with the examples of the possible use of fruit extracts in medicine and applications in cosmetology were indicated too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]