Obovatol

Obovatol is a natural compound found in the bark of the Magnolia obovata tree. It is a neolignan, a type of phytochemical, and has been studied for its potential pharmacological properties.

Chemical Structure

Obovatol is a neolignan, a class of compounds that are derived from lignin. It has a complex chemical structure that includes a phenyl group and a cyclohexane ring. The exact structure of obovatol was first determined in 1980 by Japanese researchers.

Sources

The primary source of obovatol is the bark of the Magnolia obovata tree, a species native to Japan and Korea. The compound can be extracted from the bark using various solvent extraction methods.

Pharmacological Properties

Obovatol has been studied for its potential pharmacological properties. It has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in laboratory studies. It may also have potential as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases due to its ability to inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the safety and efficacy of obovatol as a therapeutic agent.

See Also

• Magnolol
• Honokiol
• Phytochemistry
• Pharmacognosy