lignans and Skin-Diseases

Honokiol is one of the natural extracts of Magnolia officinalis. It is a small molecule, lipophilic compound with extensive biological effects. It has been used in the treatment of multisystem diseases, including digestive diseases, endocrine diseases, nervous system diseases, and various tumors. This paper reviews the biological effects of honokiol on the treatment of skin diseases in recent years, including anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-fibrosis, anti-allergy, photo-protection, and immunomodulation. Most current researches are focused on the effects of anti-melanoma and photo-protection. Therefore, we summarized the specific mechanisms about these two effects. On the other side of treating skin diseases, the advantages of topical drugs cannot be replaced. As a small molecule fat-soluble compound, honokiol is suitable for external use. We reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of the topical mixed cream and various improved methods. These improvements include physical and chemical penetration enhancers, drug carriers, and chemical derivatives. In conclusion, honokiol has a wide range of effects, and its topical preparation provides a safe and effective way for treating skin diseases.

Topics: Allyl Compounds; Antioxidants; Biphenyl Compounds; Dermatology; Humans; Lignans; Phenols; Skin Diseases

Chinese herbs have been and still are widely used as important remedies in Oriental medicine. Over the recent years, a variety of biologically active constituents have been isolated from these sources and confirmed to have multifunctional activity in experimental studies. Honokiol is a small-molecule polyphenol isolated from the genus Magnolia. It is accompanied by other related polyphenols, including magnolol, with which it shares certain biological properties. Recently, honokiol and magnolol have been found to have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-microbial properties in preclinical models, without appreciable toxicity. These findings have increased interest in bringing honokiol and magnolol to the clinic as novel therapeutic agents in dermatology. In this review, the findings concerning the major mechanisms of action of honokiol and magnolol are described. Knowledge of the multiple activities of honokiol and magnolol can assist with the development of honokiol and magnolol derivatives and the design of clinical trials that will maximize the potential benefit of honokiol and magnolol in the patient setting for dermatologic disorders.

Topics: Antioxidants; Biphenyl Compounds; Dermatologic Agents; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Lignans; Skin Diseases

Excessive alternative macrophage activation contributes to fibrosis. We studied the effects of nortrachelogenin, the major lignan component of Pinus sylvestris knot extract, on alternative (M2) macrophage activation. J774 murine and THP-1 human macrophages were cultured with IL-4+IL-13 to induce alternative activation, together with the extract and its components. Effects of nortrachelogenin were also studied in bleomycin-induced murine dermal fibrosis model. Knot extract significantly decreased the expression of alternative activation markers-arginase 1 in murine macrophages (97.4 ± 1.3% inhibition at 30 μg/mL) and CCL13 and PDGF in human macrophages-as did nortrachelogenin (94.9 ± 2.4% inhibition of arginase 1 at 10 μM). Nortrachelogenin also decreased PPARγ expression but had no effect on STAT6 phosphorylation. In vivo, nortrachelogenin reduced bleomycin-induced increase in skin thickness as well as the expression of collagens COL1A1, COL1A2, and COL3A1 (all by >50%). In conclusion, nortrachelogenin suppressed IL-4+IL-13-induced alternative macrophage activation and ameliorated bleomycin-induced fibrosis, indicating therapeutic potential in fibrosing conditions.

Topics: Animals; Bleomycin; Collagen; Fibrosis; Furans; Humans; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-4; Lignans; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pinus sylvestris; Plant Extracts; Skin Diseases

Inhibitory effects of magnosalin and magnoshinin, compounds from the crude drug 'Shin-i' (Flos magnoliae), on angiogenesis and pouch granuloma formation induced by an adjuvant containing croton oil were investigated. Magnosalin inhibited angiogenesis 2.4-fold (intra-pouch) and 9.7-fold (intraperitoneal) more strongly than granuloma formation. The inhibition of angiogenesis by magnosalin was 5-fold (intra-pouch) and 21-fold (intraperitoneal) weaker than that by hydrocortisone. In contrast, intraperitoneal magnoshinin inhibited granuloma formation 2.5-fold more strongly than angiogenesis. The regression coefficients of anti-angiogenesis vs. the inhibition of granuloma formation were 1.79 for magnosalin, 1.11 for hydrocortisone, and 0.61 for magnoshinin. These results show that the anti-chronic inflammatory effect of 'Shin-i' was caused by selective inhibition of angiogenesis by magnosalin and of granuloma formation by magnoshinin.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cyclobutanes; Granuloma; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Lignans; Male; Mice; Naphthols; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Peritoneal Diseases; Peritoneum; Plants, Medicinal; Skin; Skin Diseases