Is there a potential of misuse for Magnolia officinalis compounds/metabolites?

Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E. Wilson ameliorates white adipogenesis by upregulating AMPK and SIRT1 in vitro and in vivo

Although there is an established link between Magnolia Cortex (MO) and lipid metabolism in previous research, its exploration within the context of obesity has been limited. Therefore, the present study investigated the therapeutic effects of MO on obesity and its mechanism of action in vitro and in vivo. Our chromatography analysis revealed that Honokiol and Magnolol are contained in MO extract. In vitro experiments showed that lipid droplets, adipogenic, and lipogenic genes were notably diminished by increasing sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) protein expression in MO-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In vivo experiments exhibited that MO administration significantly recovered the adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and fatty acid oxidation genes by increasing the SIRT1 and AMPK expression in white adipose tissue. Furthermore, hepatic steatosis by HFD feeding was ameliorated in MO-administered obese mice. We conclude that MO could be important manager for treating obesity through AMPK and SIRT1 regulation.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of natural compounds modulating the endocannabinoid system in various diseases and disorders: review

Cannabinoid receptors, endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), and the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of the endocannabinoids make up the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The components of the ECS are proven to modulate a vast bulk of various physiological and pathological processes due to their abundance throughout the human body. Such discoveries have attracted the researchers' attention and emerged as a potential therapeutical target for the treatment of various diseases. In the present article, we reviewed the discoveries of natural compounds, herbs, herbs formula, and their therapeutic properties in various diseases and disorders by modulating the ECS. We also summarize the molecular mechanisms through which these compounds elicit their properties by interacting with the ECS based on the existing findings. Our study provides the insight into the use of natural compounds that modulate ECS in various diseases and disorders, which in turn may facilitate future studies exploiting natural lead compounds as novel frameworks for designing more effective and safer therapeutics.

In Vitro and In Silico Studies of Neolignans from Magnolia grandiflora L. Seeds against Human Cannabinoids and Opioid Receptors

Magnolia grandiflora L. (Magnoliaceae) is a plant of considerable medicinal significance; its flowers and seeds have been used in various traditional remedies. Radioligand binding assays of n-hexane seeds extract showed displacement of radioligand for cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2) and opioid δ (delta), κ (kappa), and µ (mu) receptors. Bioactivity-guided fractionation afforded 4-O-methylhonokiol (1), magnolol (2), and honokiol (3), which showed higher binding to cannabinoid rather than opioid receptors in radioligand binding assays. Compounds 1-3, together with the dihydro analog of 2 (4), displayed selective affinity towards CB2R (K_i values of 0.29, 1.4, 1.94, and 0.99 μM, respectively), compared to CB1R (K_i 3.85, 17.82, 14.55, and 19.08 μM, respectively). An equal mixture of 2 and 3 (1:1 ratio) showed additive displacement activity towards the tested receptors compared to either 2 or 3 alone, which in turn provides an explanation for the strong displacement activity of the n-hexane extract. Due to the unavailability of an NMR or X-ray crystal structure of bound neolignans with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, a docking study was performed to predict ligand-protein interactions at a molecular level and to delineate structure-activity relationships (SAR) of the neolignan analogs with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The putative binding modes of neolignans 1-3 and previously reported related analogs (4, 4a, 5, 5a, 6, 6a, and 6b) into the active site of the CB1 and CB2 receptors were assessed for the first time via molecular docking and binding free-energy (∆G) calculations. The docking and ∆G results revealed the importance of a hydroxyl moiety in the molecules that forms strong H-bonding with Ser383 and Ser285 within CB1R and CB2R, respectively. The impact of a shift from a hydroxyl to the methoxy group on experimental binding affinity to CB1R versus CB2R was explained through ∆G data and the orientation of the alkyl chain within the CB1R. This comprehensive SAR, influenced by the computational study and the observed in vitro displacement binding affinities, has indicated the potential of magnolia neolignans for developing new CB agonists for potential use as analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, or anxiolytics.

Zebrafish as a tool for the discovery of anticonvulsant compounds from botanical constituents

Epilepsy affects about 65 million people in the world, which makes this disease a public health problem. In addition to the incidence of recurrent seizures, this neurological condition also culminates in cognitive, psychological, behavioral, and social consequences to the patients. Epilepsy treatment is based on the use of drugs that aim to inhibit repetitive neuronal discharges, and consequently, the recurrence of seizures. However, despite the large number of antiepileptic drugs currently available, about 30-40% of patients with epilepsy do not respond satisfactorily to treatments. Therefore, the investigation of new therapeutic alternatives for epilepsy becomes relevant, especially the search for new compounds with anticonvulsant properties. The therapeutic potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds has been a target for alternative treatments for epilepsy. The use of animal models for drug screening, such as zebrafish, contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in seizures and for investigating methods and alternative treatments to decrease seizure incidence. The sensitivity of zebrafish to chemoconvulsants and its use in genetic approaches reinforces the contribution of this animal to epilepsy research. Moreover, we summarize advances in zebrafish-based studies that focus on plant-derived bioactive compounds with potential antiseizure properties, contributing to the screening of new drugs for epilepsy treatment.

A honokiol-enriched Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H. Wilson. bark extract possesses anxiolytic-like activity with neuroprotective effect through the modulation of CB1 receptor

OBJECTIVES

The exposure of neurons to an excessive excitatory stimulation induces the alteration of the normal neuronal function. Mood disorders are among the first signs of alterations in the central nervous system function. Magnolia officinalis bark extract has been extensively used in the traditional medicine systems of several countries, showing several pharmacological activities. Honokiol, the main constituent of M. officinalis, is a GABA modulator and a CB1 agonist, which is deeply investigated for its role in modulating mood disorders.

METHODS

Thus, we evaluated the possible neuroprotective effect of a standardized M. officinalis bark extract (MOE), enriched in honokiol, and its effect on animal mood behavioural tests and in an in vitro model of excitotoxicity.

KEY FINDINGS

MOE showed neuroprotective effect using SH-SY5Y cells, by normalizing brain-derived neurotrophic factor release. Then, we tested the effect of MOE in different behavioural tests evaluating anxiety and depression and we observed a selective anxiolytic-like effect. Finally, we confirmed the involvement of CB1 in the final effect of MOE by the co-administration of the CB1 antagonist, AM251.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that MOE could be considered an effective and safe anxiolytic candidate with neuroprotective activity.

Pharmacokinetic and Metabolic Profiling of Key Active Components of Dietary Supplement Magnolia officinalis Extract for Prevention against Oral Carcinoma

Among the three key active components (KACs) of Magnolia officinalis bark extract (ME), 4-O-methylhonokiol and honokiol showed higher antiproliferation activities than magnolol in the oral squamous cancer cell lines (Cal-27, SCC-9, and SCC-4). Oral bioavailabilities of ME-KACs were poor (<0.2%) in C57BL/6 mice primarily due to their extensive first-pass phase II metabolism and poor solubilities. High plasma concentration of glucuronides upon oral administration and faster rate of glucuronidation by intestinal microsomes indicated intestine as one of the major metabolic organs for ME-KACs. Despite the increase in bioavailabilities of ME-KACs (∼8-10-fold) and decrease in AUC_0-24 of glucuronides (∼10-fold) upon ME solubility enhancement, systemic exposure of ME-KACs failed to improve meaningfully. In conclusion, we propose a quality-controlled and chemically defined ME mixture, containing an optimized ratio of three KACs, delivered locally in the oral cavity as the most promising strategy for ME use as an oral cancer chemopreventive dietary supplement.

Insights on the Multifunctional Activities of Magnolol

Over years, various biological constituents are isolated from Traditional Chinese Medicine and confirmed to show multifunctional activities. Magnolol, a hydroxylated biphenyl natural compound isolated from Magnolia officinalis, has been extensively documented and shows a range of biological activities. Many signaling pathways include, but are not limited to, NF-κB/MAPK, Nrf2/HO-1, and PI3K/Akt pathways, which are implicated in the biological functions mediated by magnolol. Thus, magnolol is considered as a promising therapeutic agent for clinic research. However, the low water solubility, the low bioavailability, and the rapid metabolism of magnolol dramatically limit its clinical application. In this review, we will comprehensively discuss the last five-year progress of the biological activities of magnolol, including anti-inflammatory, antimicroorganism, antioxidative, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protection, metabolism regulation, and ion-mediating activity.

Magnolol: A Neolignan from the Magnolia Family for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

The past few decades have witnessed widespread research to challenge carcinogenesis; however, it remains one of the most important health concerns with the worst prognosis and diagnosis. Increasing lines of evidence clearly show that the rate of cancer incidence will increase in future and will create global havoc, designating it as an epidemic. Conventional chemotherapeutics and treatment with synthetic disciplines are often associated with adverse side effects and development of chemoresistance. Thus, discovering novel economic and patient friendly drugs that are safe and efficacious is warranted. Several natural compounds have proved their potential against this dreadful disease so far. Magnolol is a hydroxylated biphenyl isolated from the root and stem bark of Magnolia tree. Magnolol can efficiently prevent or inhibit the growth of various cancers originating from different organs such as brain, breast, cervical, colon, liver, lung, prostate, skin, etc. Considering these perspectives, the current review primarily focuses on the fascinating role of magnolol against various types of cancers, and the source and chemistry of magnolol and the molecular mechanism underlying the targets of magnolol are discussed. This review proposes magnolol as a suitable candidate that can be appropriately designed and established into a potent anti-cancer drug.