Title:The Neuropharmacological Effects of Magnolol and Honokiol: A Review
of Signal Pathways and Molecular Mechanisms
Volume: 16
Author(s): Xiaolin Dai, Long Xie, Kai Liu, Youdan Liang, Yi Cao, Jing Lu, Xian Wang, Xumin Zhang and Xiaofang Li*
Affiliation:
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, PR China.
Keywords:
Magnolol, honokiol, neuropharmacology, molecular mechanisms, anti-ischaemic, neuritis, neuroma, Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract: Magnolol and honokiol are natural lignans with good physiological effects. As the
main active substances derived from Magnolia officinalis, their pharmacological activities have
attracted extensive attention. It is reported that both of them can cross the blood-brain barrier
(BBB) and exert neuroprotective effects through a variety of mechanisms. This suggests that
these two ingredients can be used as effective therapeutic compounds to treat a wide range of
neurological diseases. This article provides a review of the mechanisms involved in the therapeutic
effects of magnolol and honokiol in combating diseases, such as cerebral ischemia, neuroinflammation,
Alzheimer's disease, and brain tumors, as well as psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety
and depression. Although magnolol and honokiol have the pharmacological effects described
above, their clinical potential remains untapped. More research is needed to improve the
bioavailability of magnolol and honokiol and perform experiments to examine the therapeutic
potential of magnolol and honokiol.