Lignans from the fruit of Schisandra sphenanthera, and their inhibition of HSV-2 and adenovirus

► Sixteen lignans were obtained by bioactivity-guided isolation of the EtOAc extract. ► Compound 14 was the most active against HSV-2 with selectivity index value of 29.83. ► Compound 1 was a new and rare type of lignan in the Schisandra genus. ► Compound 1 showed moderate inhibitory activities against HSV-2 and adenovirus. ► These isolated lignans first exhibited inhibition of HSV-2 and adenovirus.