obovatol

Obovatol is a biphenolic compound (specifically a biphenyl ether lignan) isolated from the bark and leaves of *Magnolia obovata*, a medicinal plant traditionally used in East Asia. It exhibits multiple pharmacological activities including **anti-inflammatory**, **neuroprotective**, **antioxidant**, **anti-platelet**, **anti-bacterial**, **anti-fungal**, and **anti-tumor** properties. The compound works through several mechanisms: it inhibits microglial activation and neuroinflammation by targeting **peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2)** and enhancing its reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging activity, thereby suppressing proinflammatory signaling pathways including **NF-κB**, **STAT1**, and **MAPK** pathways. Obovatol also demonstrates anxiolytic effects mediated by GABA-benzodiazepine receptors and inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by up-regulating p21Cip1 expression. Additionally, it blocks the type III secretion system (TTSS) in bacteria like *Salmonella*. The compound has shown efficacy in preclinical models for neuroinflammatory diseases, restenosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, and bacterial infections.