honokiol

Honokiol is a small-molecule polyphenolic compound isolated from the bark and leaves of trees in the genus Magnolia. It is pleiotropic, acting through multiple biological pathways and targets. Honokiol exhibits a range of pharmacological activities including anxiolytic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumorigenic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antithrombotic, antimicrobial, and antiangiogenic effects[1][3][4]. Mechanistically, it modulates several molecular targets such as GABA A receptor (agonist), nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) (inhibitor), N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA) (modulator), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) (inhibitor), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway (inhibitor), phospholipase D activation by ras oncogene product (blocker), cyclophilin D/mitochondrial permeability transition pore induction in wild-type p53 cells[3][4][5][6]. Honokiol has shown potential therapeutic applications for conditions affecting the central nervous system such as anxiety and pain; cardiovascular diseases; gastrointestinal disorders; cancer; metabolic syndrome including diabetes; viral infections like hepatitis C virus infection[1][2]. It is under development for alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease[8].

Other names

3',5-di-2-propenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,4'-diol