Geographical Distribution, Chemical Constituents, and Activity Profile of Magnolia

Many Asian countries use the bark of the Magnolia for medicinal purposes. Magnolia has many medical uses, including regulating GI motility, treating cough and asthma, preventing cardiovascular disease, and treating mental illness and brain disorders. To date, 118 magnolia species have been discovered. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has designated 231 species as vulnerable and critically endangered. Magnolia leaves yielded 20 isolated chemicals, including 16 lignans with 6 distinct structural types, such as honokiol, veraguensin, sitosterol, and magliflonenone. Magnolia species show pharmacological activities like Neuroprotective, anti-cancer, Anti-microbial, Antiplatelets, Anti-asthmatic, Gastrointestinal, and Hormone regulation. Magnolia bark extracts such as honokiol 2',6-di-(5-propenyl)-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol, have been demonstrated to benefit health. In recent in vitro and preclinical research, honokiol was found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-oxidative, and anti-cancer activities. Honokiol and magnolol prevented the thromboxane B2 synthesis in response to thrombin, arachidonic acid, and collagen. So, soon, if we cultivate and save the endangered magnolia species through biotechnological means, it will be a boon for mankind.