New and bioactive lignans from the fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera

► 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. ► Biogenetic pathway for compound 2 is interesting and has been proposed in this article. ► All the isolated components are first reported of their anti-liver fibrosis activities. ► Compounds 1, 2,4,11,13,14 and 18 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity.