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The understanding of the use of Magnolia officinalis L. (Magnoliaceae) as a possible dietary supplement for supporting the treatment of airway pathologies might be of clinical interest. Two commercially available bark extracts (M. officinalis extract [MOE]) were characterized by quantitation in honokiol and magnolol content by means of high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. MOE effects, as well as those of the reference compounds per se, on some targets connected to airway pathologies (antibacterial‐ and lung and trachea relaxing‐ activities) were investigated. Results showed that MOE possessed interesting antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. This was accompanied by a spasmolytic and antispasmodic activity, possibly owing to its ability to concurrently modulate different targets such as H1‐, β2‐ and muscarinic receptors and l‐type calcium channels involved in bronchodilation. All these effects were directly related to the MOE content in honokiol and magnolol. In conclusion, the properties of MOE highlighted here strongly encourage its application as dietary supplement in the treatment of airway diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purposes: Skin antioxidant network protects cells against oxidative injury and prevents the production of oxidation products. When oxidative stress overwhelms the skin antioxidant capacity, the subsequent modification of the cellular redox apparatus leads to an alteration of cell homeostasis leading to degenerative processes. In the dermocosmetic field, the topical application of antioxidants is often suggested as a possible strategy to prevent and modulate oxidative skin damages. Continuing our studies addressed to set-up new bio-engeneering protocols for the claim substantiation of antioxidant cosmetic products, we have developed a new non-invasive methodology for the evaluation of antioxidants cosmetics ingredients and finished products. Methods: The effects of a pre-treatment on forearm skin with an antioxidant ingredient were investigated on 15 volunteers, in a double-blind randomised fashion. A non-invasive method was devized that comprises the collection of forehead SC layers of the pre-treated area and control and the next evaluation of skin antioxidant capacity (IAC-S®) by a luminescence-based method. Results: The results showed that the antioxidant preparation was able to increase, to a statistically significant extent ( P<0.01), the IAC-S® in comparison with the control area. The data were confirmed ( P<0.05) by comparison with a method, previously developed by us, based on DermAnalyzer®. Conclusions: In view of the simplicity and reliability of the method here presented, this new technique is proposed as a possible tool for the routine evaluation of in vivo efficacy of antioxidant functional ingredients and finished products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]