Description
Honokiol is a bi-phenolic compound with the
formula C*8H*8O2 and a
relatively small molecular weight of **6 grams/mole. This molecule
is found in several species of the genus magnolia including M.
officinalis, obovata, and grandifolia. It is an isomer of another
compound also found in magnolia materials called magnolol, which
has ***0 times the antioxidant potential of vitamin E. The dried
bark of M. officinalis usually has about **5% hanokiol and ***0%
magnolol.
Magnolia Species and Traditional
Use
While
magnolia species have been incorporated in traditional healing
systems throughout the world, the barks of Chinese M. officinalis
and Japanese M. obuvata have become quite popular due to their
verified levels of phytochemicals like honokiol. The bark of M.
officinale (houpa) is often sought for incorporation in traditional
Chinese formulas addressing “chi stagnationâ€, asthma, anxiety,
cancer, and digestive disorders.
China produces well over **0 tons of magnolia bark a
year. With its popularity comes the concern of over-harvesting
since the tree is killed during bark procurement. A positive side
to this is that the honokiol molecule is not very complex and is
easily synthesized through organic chemistry methods.
Pharmokinetics
Honokiol appears to be non toxic, easily
absorbed, and systematically available. This is important since
many promising materials like Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) are
not absorbed well in the digestive tract. Honokiol also avoids
immediate clearing by the liver (first pass effect) and crosses
blood barriers that often exclude other compounds.Honokiol
 has a significant, long-lasting central muscle relaxation,
inhibition of the central nervous system, anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial, disease of the original microbial, anti-ulcer,
anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, morphine withdrawal response, inhibit
platelet aggregation and other pharmacological effects for the
treatment of acute enteritis. bacterial or amoebic dysentery.
chronic gastritis. Among them, the antibacterial effect of magnolol
on the Gram-positive bacteria, acid-resistant bacteria, filamentous
fungi have significant antimicrobial activity, a more significant
antibacterial effect on Streptococcus mutans, the strongest
inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus. Clinically for the
elimination of the chest and abdomen full of nausea, sedation
central nervous system, athletes, muscle relaxants, anti-fungal,
anti-ulcer drugs
Recent
studies have explored honokiol and found validation for it as a
treatment option for anxiety, cancer, peridontal disease, stroke,
inflammation, and even weight loss.
Physical properties
This product is tan to white fine powder, gas
smell, taste spicy, slightly bitter flavor. The monomer is a
colorless needle crystal (water), melting point
**2° C. Soluble in benzene,
ether, chloroform, acetone and common organic solvents, insoluble
in water, soluble in dilute solution of caustic soda to get sodium.
Phenolic hydroxyl group susceptible to oxidation, allyl is easy to
carry out the addition reaction.
Application of
formulations
Suppositories, lotions, tablets, capsules, and so
on.
Product storage: Store in a cool, dry, dark, avoid
heat
Purification
Several methods for purifying
honokiol have been utilized. As honokiol exists naturally with its
structural isomer magnolol, which differs from honokiol only by the
position of one hydroxyl group, purification has often been limited
to a HPLC or electromigration. However, methods developed in ***6
by workers in the lab of Jack L. Arbiser, took advantage of the
proximity of the phenolic hydroxyl groups in magnolol, which form a
protectable diol, to generate a magnolol acetonide (Figure 1), with
a subsequent simple purification via flash chromatography over
silica.
