Magnolol and Honokiol Are Novel Antiparasitic Compounds from <i>Magnolia officinalis</i> That Target the Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain.

ABSTRACT: Parasitic worms are a global health concern in low- and middle-income countries, while also severely limiting livestock production. Treatment of worm infections relies on a limited number of synthetic anthelmintic drug classes, which may accelerate the development of resistance. Here, we identified two compounds, honokiol and magnolol, from Magnolia officinalis, which exhibit potent effects against Ascaris suum larvae, with EC₅₀ values of 8.128 μM and 11.08 μM, respectively. Using RNA-seq analysis on Caenorhabditis elegans and functional assays of mitochondrial membrane potential, we confirmed that the primary mechanism of action of these two compounds is the inhibition of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). The inhibition of mitochondrial ETC

SUBMITTER: Pan G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12509032 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature