ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MAGNOLOL AND HONOKIOL AGAINST PERIODONTOPATHIC MICROORGANISMS

Magnolol (1) and honokiol (2), main compounds from the stem bark of Ma gnolia obovata Thunb., were evaluated for an antimicrobial activity ag ainst periodontopathic microorganisms, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevo tella gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, and Veillonella disper, and a cytotoxicity against human gingival fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Our results indicate that m agnolol and honokiol, although less potent than chlorhexidine, show a significant antimicrobial activity against these microorganisms, and a relatively low cytotoxic effect on human gingival cells. Thus, it is suggested that magnolol and honokiol may have a potential therapeutic use as a safe oral antiseptic for the prevention and the treatment of periodontal disease.