Magnolol (MG)

Magnolol is a lignan. It is a bioactive compound found in the bark of the Houpu magnolia (Magnolia officinalis) or in M. grandiflora. It is known to act on the GABAA receptors in rat cells in vitro as well as having antifungal properties. Gastric cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer with the second highest mortality rate worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are generally used for the treatment of stomach cancer but only limited clinical response is shown by these therapies and still no effectual therapy for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma patients is available. Therefore, there is a need to identify other therapeutic agents against this life-threatening disease. Plants are considered as one of the most important sources for the development of anticancer drugs. Magnolol, a natural compound possesses anticancer properties. However, effects of Magnolol on human gastric cancer remain unexplored.