1. Academic Validation
  2. Efficient synthesis and structure-activity relationship of honokiol, a neurotrophic biphenyl-type neolignan

Efficient synthesis and structure-activity relationship of honokiol, a neurotrophic biphenyl-type neolignan

  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2004 May 17;14(10):2621-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2004.02.067.
Tomoyuki Esumi 1 Gouki Makado Haifeng Zhai Yasuhiro Shimizu Yasuhide Mitsumoto Yoshiyasu Fukuyama
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Institute of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
Abstract

Honokiol, a biphenyl-type neolignan, which shows the remarkable neurotrophic effect in primary cultured rat cortical neurons, has been effectively synthesized in 21% yield over 14 steps starting from 5-bromosalicylic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid by utilizing Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction as a key step. Additionally, the structure-activity relationship between neurite outgrowth-promoting activity and its O-methylated and/or its hydrogenated analogues was examined in the primary cultures of fetal rat cortical neurons, suggesting that 5-allyl and 4'-hydroxyl groups are essential for affecting the neurotrophic activity of honokiol.

Figures
Products