Honokiol has a broad anti-bacterial spectrum. Its antibacterial property is stable, and it’s not easy to be damaged by heat, acid, alkali. Some scholars have found that Honokiol has a strong inhibitory effect on streptococcus mutans. The result shows that it has good antibacterial effect on staphylococcus aureus; and its MIC is 6.25μg/mL. Therefore, Honokiol can be added into cosmetics to treat acne, and can also be used as a natural preservative of cosmetics.
- Anti-acne and anti-inflammation
Honokiol has strong inhibitory effect on P.acnes and P.granulosum that can lead to acne. The MIC is 9mg/L. Furthermore, it can effectively reduce the increase of THP-1cell, IL-8 and TNF-αcaused by P.acnes. So it proves that Honokiol can treat local skin inflammation.
Study has shown that Honokiol can enhance activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT and GSH2Px in serum and tissues of mice; and it can lower the content of MDA, a lipid peroxide in the body. Under the action of Honokiol, antioxidant capacity of human body has been improved. And excessive free radicals produced by aging body can be quickly eliminated. Thereby, further chain reaction of oxygen free radical is blocked, and per-oxidation process of tissues and cells is inhibited. Thus Honokiol can exert its anti-aging effect. Moreover, the scavenging capacity of Honokiol on free radicals is stronger than that of classic antioxidant ascorbic acid. And Honokiol can also inhibit tyrosinase activity; so it has certain whitening function, and can be used in cosmetics as skin whitening agent.