Magnolol is an

organic compound Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-co ...

that is classified as

lignan The lignans are a large group of low molecular weight polyphenols found in plants, particularly seeds, whole grains, and vegetables. The name derives from the Latin word for "wood". Lignans are precursors to phytoestrogens. They may play a rol ...

. It is a

bioactive compound A bioactive compound is a compound that has an effect on a living organism, tissue or cell, usually demonstrated by basic research in vitro or in vivo in the laboratory. While dietary nutrients are essential to life, bioactive compounds have not ...

found in the bark of the Houpu magnolia ('' Magnolia officinalis'') and in '' M. grandiflora''. Magnolol is a compound that acts on GABA_A receptors and functions as an allosteric modulator. It has

antifungal An antifungal medication, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis (thrush), serious systemic infections such as ...

properties and demonstrates anti-

periodontal disease Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red and may bleed. It is considered the main c ...

effects in animal models. In cell cultures, magnolol stimulates

osteoblast Osteoblasts (from the Greek combining forms for " bone", ὀστέο-, ''osteo-'' and βλαστάνω, ''blastanō'' "germinate") are cells with a single nucleus that synthesize bone. However, in the process of bone formation, osteoblasts fu ...

s and inhibits

osteoclast An osteoclast () is a type of bone cell that breaks down bone tissue. This function is critical in the maintenance, repair, and bone remodeling, remodeling of bones of the vertebrate, vertebral skeleton. The osteoclast disassembles and digests th ...

s, indicating potential for anti-osteoporosis treatment. It also binds in a dimeric form to PPARγ, acting as an agonist of this nuclear receptor. Additionally, magnolol may interact with cannabinoid receptors, acting as a partial agonist of CB2 receptors with lower affinity for CB1 receptors.

Bioactivity

It is known to act on the GABA_A receptors in rat cells ''

in vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning ''in glass'', or ''in the glass'') Research, studies are performed with Cell (biology), cells or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in ...

'' as well as having antifungal properties. Magnolol has a number of osteoblast-stimulating and osteoclast-inhibiting activities in cell culture and has been suggested as a candidate for screening for anti-osteoporosis activity. It has anti-periodontal disease activity in a rat model. Structural analogues have been studied and found to be strong allosteric modulators of GABA_A. Magnolol is also binding in dimeric mode to PPARγ, acting as an agonist of this nuclear receptor. Magnolol may interact with cannabinoid receptors, acting as a partial agonist of CB₂ receptors, with lower affinity for the CB₁ receptor.

Bioactivity

References

Further reading