From the Guidelines
Magnolia bark extract is a promising natural remedy for preventing periodontal diseases, particularly gingivitis, due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as demonstrated by a 6 month randomized placebo controlled clinical trial showing a larger reduction in gingival and plaque indexes with a 0.3% magnolia toothpaste 1. The use of magnolia extracts in dentistry has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on oral pathogens, including P. gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia, and Fusobacterium nucleatum 1. Key benefits of magnolia bark extract include:
- Anti-inflammatory effect attributed to its two main constituents: magnolol and honokiol 1
- Inhibitory effect on oral pathogens 1
- Reduction in total salivary bacterial load and salivary mutans streptococci concentration 1
- Larger reduction in gingival and plaque indexes compared to placebo toothpaste in a 6 month randomized controlled clinical trial 1 Overall, magnolia bark extract appears to be a safe and effective natural remedy for preventing periodontal diseases, with potential benefits for oral health and hygiene.
From the Research
Pharmacological Activities of Magnolia Bark
- Magnolia officinalis bark extract has been shown to possess anxiolytic-like activity with neuroprotective effects through the modulation of CB1 receptor 2.
- The main constituent of M. officinalis, honokiol, is a GABA modulator and a CB1 agonist, which plays a role in modulating mood disorders 2.
- Magnolia officinalis has multiple biological activities, including regulating gastrointestinal motility, relieving cough and asthma, preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and treating depression and anxiety 3.
Therapeutic Effects of Magnolia Bark
- Magnolol, a lignan from Magnolia bark, has been found to have beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes and its complications, including improving glycemia, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress 4.
- Magnolia officinalis L. bark extract has been identified as the most potent anti-inflammatory of four plant extracts, reducing secretion of inflammatory markers such as IL-6, IL-8, MMP-2, and MMP-9 5.
- The anti-inflammatory effect of Magnolia officinalis L. extract can be maintained when combined with other plant extracts, such as Isodon japonicus L. extract 5.
Mechanisms of Action
- The mechanisms of action of Magnolia officinalis include modulation of CB1 receptor, regulation of GI hormones and substance metabolism, protection of the intestinal barrier, and affect on the gut microbiota 2, 3.
- Honokiol and magnolol, the main constituents of M. officinalis, can be metabolized into active metabolites in vivo, increasing water solubility and bioavailability and exerting pharmacological activity in the whole body 3.