Planta Med 2003; 69(6): 532-536
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-40654
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Inhibition of Smooth Muscle Contraction by Magnolol and Honokiol in Porcine Trachea

Chien-Hsin Ko1 , Hwei-Hsien Chen2 , Yi-Ruu Lin2 , Ming-Huan Chan2 , 3
  • 1Department of Chinese Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
  • 2Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
  • 3Department of Pharmacology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
Further Information

Publication History

Received: November 26, 2002

Accepted: March 8, 2003

Publication Date:
16 July 2003 (online)

Abstract

Magnolol and honokiol are the two major phenolic constituents of the plant medicine ”Houpo” (Magnolia obovata), which is used in the treatment of chest tightness and asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of magnolol and honokiol on smooth muscle tone in porcine trachea. Magnolol and honokiol (0.1 - 100 μM) inhibited carbachol- and high K+-induced muscle contractions in a concentration-dependent fashion, but did not affect basal muscle tension. After washout of these pretreatments, carbachol- and high K+-evoked muscle contractions were still abolished, suggesting that the inhibition was irreversible. Magnolol and honokiol also concentration-dependently decreased the Ca2+-dependent muscle contraction induced by high K+ depolarization. Ca2+ channel antagonists attenuated carbachol-induced muscular response by ∼30 %, but did not further potentiate the inhibitory actions of magnolol and honokiol on muscle contraction. However, the inhibitory effects of magnolol and honokiol on carbachol-evoked muscular contractile response were partially reversed after removal of Ca2+ channel antagonist pretreatment. Alternatively, caffeine-elicited muscle contractions were not altered by magnolol, honokiol, and verapamil. In conclusion, the relaxant effects of magnolol and honokiol on porcine tracheal smooth muscle suggest an association with the blockade of Ca2+ influx through voltage-operated Ca2+ channels instead of Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. The magnolol- and honokiol-induced inhibitions on tracheal smooth muscle contraction may be relevant to the claimed therapeutic effects of the extract from magnolia bark and contribute to their pharmacological effects by acting as anti-asthmatic agents.

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Dr. Ming-Huan Chan

Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Tzu Chi University

No 701, Section 3, Chung Yang Road

Hualien 970

Taiwan

Phone: +886-3-856-5301 ext. 7197

Fax: +886-3-856-1465

Email: ming@mail.tcu.edu.tw

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