4-O-Methylhonokiol: A Lesser-Known Neolignan from Magnolia Species with Diverse and Promising Pharmacological Properties

The review focused on 4-O-methylhonokiol (MH), a neolignan from Magnolia species, which exhibited diverse pharmacological properties, including promoting hair growth, anticancer, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and antiobesity effects. MH significantly increased hair growth in rat vibrissa follicles by 2.5 times compared to the control group. It also showed potential in treating diabetic nephropathy and cardiomyopathy in mice by reducing oxidative stress and improving lipid metabolism. Despite its promising profile, MH had poor oral absorption and high systemic clearance, indicating a need for analogs with improved metabolic stability. The review suggested that MH's effects could be enhanced when combined with other neolignans like honokiol and magnolol, warranting further investigation into its mechanisms and potential applications.