title: Biological activity and toxicity of the Chinese herb Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E. Wilson (Houpo) and its constituents.
abstract: Traditional Chinese herbal drugs have been used for thousands of years in Chinese pharmacopoeia. The bark of Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E. Wilson, known under the pinyin name "Houpo", has been traditionally used in Chinese and Japanese medicines for the treatment of anxiety, asthma, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, headache, and more. Moreover, Magnolia bark extract is a major constituent of currently marketed dietary supplements and cosmetic products. Much pharmacological activity has been reported for this herb and its major compounds, notably antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antispasmodic effects. However, the mechanisms underlying this have not been elucidated and only a very few clinical trials have been published. In vitro and in vivo toxicity studies have also been published and indicate some intriguing features. The present review aims to summarize the literature on M. officinalis bark composition, utilisation, pharmacology, and safety.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Therapeutic Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons-UMONS, Mons, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poivre
authors.affiliation: Unit of Therapeutic Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons-UMONS, Mons, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D031566:Magnolia / Q000737:chemistry*; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Chinese herb; Houpo; Magnolia bark; Traditional Chinese medicine