title: Neolignans from North American Magnolia species with cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitory activity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Based upon reported ethnomedicinal use by Native Americans, extracts and pure isolates from leaves and seeds of Magnolia grandiflora, M. virginiana, M. acuminata and M. macrophylla, all native to the Southeastern United States, were investigated for their anti-inflammatory potential against cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2).
  
  
  METHODS
  The extracts and pure compounds from Magnolia species were tested for their production of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) using a mouse macrophage (RAW 264.7) assay where cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leaf extracts were moderately active (44-58% inhibition at 50 microg/ml) whereas seed extracts showed significant activity of 54-88% inhibition, respectively. In the seed extract of M. grandiflora, honokiol, magnolol and 4'-O-methylhonokiol strongly inhibited COX-2 (IC(50): 1.2-2.0 microg/ml), 3-O-methylmagnolol was moderately active while a new compound was inactive towards COX-2. The neolignans were not cytotoxic to macrophages (RAW 264.7) and kidney fibroblast (VERO) cells in vitro.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that the reported ethnomedicinal use of the investigated Magnolia species is in agreement with anti-inflammatory activity of their respective compounds.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4, 8010 Graz, Austria. wolfgang.schuehly@uni-graz.at
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schühly
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D017705:Lignans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D031566:Magnolia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D051379:Mice; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009656:North America; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D014709:Vero Cells
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D017705:Lignans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015232:Dinoprostone