Pharmaceutical Evaluation of Honokiol and Magnolol on Apoptosis and Migration Inhibition in Human Bladder Cancer Cells

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.

Honokiol Ameliorates DSS-Induced Mouse Colitis by Inhibiting Inflammation and Oxidative Stress and Improving the Intestinal Barrier

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactor intestinal disease with increased morbidity. Recently, pleiotropic drugs with exact biosafety have been urgently needed. Honokiol (HKL) is the major bioactive component of traditional Chinese medicine "Houpu," with almost no toxic effects and approved anti-inflammation, antioxidant, antispasmodic, etc. effects. This study examined the therapeutic effect of HKL in dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced experimental colitis. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice received 3% DSS for seven days to generate UC, and HKL was pretreated for five days and given during the whole DSS-induced period. In vitro, RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation, and mouse colon epithelial cells (MCEC) were treated with HKL or pretreated with HKL and then stimulated with LPS-induced macrophage supernate to investigate the barrier enhancement roles. HKL significantly ameliorated disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histopathological scores in DSS-induced colitis. The inflammatory mediators of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) were decreased, and the tight conjunction proteins were increased in the HKL-treated group both in vivo and in vitro. Above all, HKL can relieve experimental UC through anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and epithelial barrier enhancement roles. These effects were associated with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, sirtuin3 (SIRT3)/adenosine 5'-monophosphate- (AMP-) activated protein kinase (AMPK), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) signaling pathways. In conclusion, after further clinical studies, HKL may be a promising drug for UC.

Linderalactone Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Development In Vitro and In Vivo via Negatively Regulating PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Linderalactone is one of the main extracts of Linderae Radix, which is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. There have been few studies on the antitumor effect of linderalactone in the past. In this study, we explored the anti-pancreatic cancer activity of linderalactone in vitro and in vivo. The  results showed that linderalactone inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Cell migration and invasion were significantly inhibited by linderalactone. The cell cycle was arrested in the G2/M phase, and the expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins changed significantly with linderalactone treatment. In addition, linderalactone induced cell apoptosis and altered the expression of apoptotic markers, such as caspase 3 and PARP1. Mechanistically, linderalactone suppressed the PI3K/AKT  signaling pathway by downregulating the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. The xenograft study results were consistent with the in vitro results, and there was no obvious chemical toxicity. Thus, our research demonstrated that linderalactone exhibits antitumor activity against pancreatic cancer and may be developed as a potential anti-pancreatic cancer agent in the future.

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.