Description
Magnolol is a lignan originally found in Magnolia bark that exhibits neuromodulatory, cognition enhancing, antimicrobial, anti-osteoporotic, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, neuroprotective, and anti-angiogenic activities. Magnolol potentiates activity at GABA-A receptors and inhibits scopolamine-induced oxidative dysfunction and learning and memory deficits in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. Magnolol also displays antifungal activity against Trichophyton, Microsporium, Epidermophyton, Aspergillus, Candida, and Cryptococcus. Additionally, this compound increases growth, collagen synthesis, and mineralization in osteoblasts while decreasing differentiation and inflammatory cytokine expression. In diabetic animal models, magnolol inhibits oxidative damage and decreases serum levels of glucose and lipids. In breast cancer cells, magnolol downregulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and inhibits activation of NF-κB, suppressing invasion. Magnolol inhibits tube formation, vessel sprouting, and migration in other cellular models. In macrophages, this compound downregulates LPS-stimulated expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β.
References
Wang JJ, Zhao R, Liang JC, et al. The antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects of magnolol on diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin. Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2014 Apr;49(4):476-81. PMID: 24974464.
Liu Y, Cao W, Zhang B, et al. The natural compound magnolol inhibits invasion and exhibits potential in human breast cancer therapy. Sci Rep. 2013 Nov 14;3:3098. PMID: 24226295.
Kim KM, Kim NS, Kim J, et al. Magnolol suppresses vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis by inhibiting Ras-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathways. Nutr Cancer. 2013;65(8):1245-53. PMID: 24066970.
Li YS, Hong YF, He J, et al. Effects of magnolol on impairment of learning and memory abilities induced by scopolamine in mice. Biol Pharm Bull. 2013;36(5):764-71. PMID: 23445942.
Fu Y, Liu B, Zhang N, et al. Magnolol inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response by interfering with TLR4 mediated NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jan 9;145(1):193-9. PMID: 23127653.
Kwak EJ, Lee YS, Choi EM. Effect of magnolol on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Mediators Inflamm. 2012;2012:829650. PMID: 22474400.
Ai J, Wang X, Nielsen M. Honokiol and magnolol selectively interact with GABAA receptor subtypes in vitro. Pharmacology. 2001 Jul;63(1):34-41. PMID: 11408830.
Bang KH, Kim YK, Min BS, et al. Antifungal activity of magnolol and honokiol. Arch Pharm Res. 2000 Feb;23(1):46-9. PMID: 10728656.
