Planta Med 2001; 67(8): 709-713
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-18354
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effects of the Extract of the Bark of Magnolia obovata and its Biphenolic Constituents Magnolol and Honokiol on Histamine Release from Peritoneal Mast Cells in Rats

Yasushi Ikarashi1,2*, Mitsutoshi Yuzurihara2 , Iwao Sakakibara2 , Youichiro Nakai2 , Naoko Hattori2 , Yuji Maruyama1
  • 1 Department of Neuropsychopharmacology (Tsumura), Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • 2 Kampo and Pharmacognosy Laboratories, Tsumura, Yoshiwara, Ibaraki, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

October 31, 2000

February 11, 2001

Publication Date:
09 November 2001 (online)

Abstract

We have previously reported that saiboku-to, an Oriental herbal remedy composed of a mixture of 10 different herbal extracts, possesses anti-histamine release effect on mast cells in rats. This effect may be due mainly to the extract of the bark of Magnolia obovata (M. obovata), a constituent herb of saiboku-to. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the bark extract inhibited compound 48/80 (C48/80)-induced histamine release from mast cells in a concentration-dependent manner (50 % inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 56.98 μg/ml). Furthermore, the inhibitory activity was found in the methanol fraction, but not in water and 50 % aqueous methanol fractions derived from the bark extract. Magnolol and honokiol isolated from the methanol fraction inhibited C48/80-induced histamine release from mast cells. The potency of magnolol (IC50 = 1.04 μg/ml) was greater than that of honokiol (IC50 = 2.77 μg/ml). Furthermore, the actual amount of magnolol (49.76 ± 1.14 mg) contained in the bark of M. obovata (5 g) was greater than that (8.58 ± 0.19 mg) of honokiol. Taken together, the present results suggest that magnolol may be responsible for the biological efficacy of the bark extract of M. obovata.

Abbreviations

BSA:bovine serum albumin

BZ:benzene

C48/80:compound 48/80

EA:ethyl acetate

HEPES:N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N′-ethanesulfonic acid

HPLC:high-performance liquid chromatography

HX:hexane

IC50:50 % inhibitory concentration

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Yasushi Ikarashi, Ph. D.

Kampo and Pharmacognosy

Laboratories, Tsumura

3586 Yoshiwara

Ami-machi

Inashiki-gun

Ibaraki 300 - 1192

Japan

Email: ikarashi_yasushi@mail.tsumura.co.jp

Fax: +81-298-89-2158