Honokiol, a compound found in the root, stem bark, and seed cones of several magnolia species, may be used to treat the B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), according to a study in the journal Blood.
The study shows that honokiol is cytotoxic to B-CLL cells, and B-CLL cells are more susceptible to the toxic effect than healthy cells, meaning that the compound has a selective anticancer effect against B-CLL.
As part of its cytotoxicity, honokiol induces caspase-mediated programmed cell death or apoptosis, a process that is missing in cancer cells, which is why cancer cells seem to be able to live forever. Honokiol also boosts the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy medications like fludarabine, cladribine and chlorambucil.
Previous studies have already discovered honokiol promotes apoptosis in many cancer cell lines including human leukemia MOLT 4B cells, human colorectal carcinoma RKO cells and human squamous lung cancer CH27 cells.
Honokiol also renders antineoplastic and antiangiogenic activities and inhibits cell proliferation and induces cytotoxicity in human leukemia cell line HL-60.
The evidence from the current study and many previous studies suggests that honokiol may be used to treat B-CLL although clinical studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and determine the safety of the potential cancer treatment.
Honokiol has already been available as a dietary supplement. (David Liu)
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