Anti-allergic activity of dichloromethane extract and related lignans from Magnolia biondii Pamp

The objective of present study is to evaluate the effect of anti-allergic activity of dichloromethanolic extract and related lignans from Magnolia biondii Pamp. Dried flower buds of Magnolia biondii were collected in China, three lignans were isolated from dichloromethane extract of Magnolia biondii and identified as: Magnolin, Pinoresinol dimethyl ether, Lirioresinol-B dimethyl ether. Anti-allergic activity of dichloromethanolic extract and related lignans was investigated on histamine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum, the Schultz-Dale reaction and degranulation of rat mast cells. Histamine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with CH2Cl2 extract( 0.2 and 0.1 mg/ml, P<0.001) , three lignans have no remarkable effect on contraction of guinea pig ileum. CH2Cl2 extract and magnolin exerted inhibitory effect on Schultz-Dale response in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pig ileum, inhibitory rate were 78.37% (0.2mg/ml) and 45.61% (1.7×10mg/ml) respectively. Three lignans have protective effect on rat peritoneal mast cells from degranulation, the effect of magnolin was most powerful. This study demonstrated experimentally that CH2Cl2 extract of Magnolia biondii Pamp. and related lignans, especially Magnolin possess anti-allergic activity, they may be a valid remedy for allergy.