Description
Honokiol is a lignan originally found in species of Magnolia that exhibits anticancer chemotherapeutic, anti-angiogenic, antioxidative, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antithrombotic, and anxiolytic activities. Honokiol inhibits angiogenesis in epithelial cells and prevents tumor growth in animal models of angiosarcoma; it also suppresses growth and proliferation in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. In animal models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, honokiol inhibits lipid peroxidation, ROS and inflammatory cytokine production, NF-κB activation, and neutrophil recruitment, infiltration, and adhesion. Honokiol also decreases platelet aggregation in vitro and increases time to thrombus formation in vivo. Additionally, this compound potentiates the effects of GABA-A receptors by acting at the benzodiazepine site and also inhibits cell entry and replication of hepatitis C virus and HIV-1. Honokiol also acts as an agonist at PPARγ receptors as well as agonist at CB1 receptor and an antagonist at the CB2 receptor.