Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameコウボク [NIB-753]
Formal name厚朴
Japanese nameこうぼく, Kōboku
Vernacular nameKōboku
Latin nameMagnoliae Cortex (JP)
English nameMagnolia Bark (JP)
Original plant nameMagnolia obovata Thunb., (Hōnoki)
Family nameMagnoliaceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification bark
Production area informationJapan
Collection informationJapan, Fukushima Pref., National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition
Collection date2022/07/26
CollectorKatsuko Komatsu
Remarks[NIB-753]
TMPW No.31643

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
location of its administrative area is indicated.　　
Production area information
Japan
https://ethmed.toyama-wakan.net/img/pin_san.png
37.7502986
140.46755140000005
Collection information
Japan,Fukushima Pref.
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Scientific information data base

Common name厚朴, Houpo, Magnoliae Cortex (JP), Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (CP), Magnolia Bark (JP), Officinal Magnolia Bark (CP)
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Original plant nameMagnolia obovata Thunberg1 (= Magnolia hypoleuca Siebold et Zuccarini), Magnolia officinalis Rehder et E. H. Wilson or Magnolia officinalis Rehder et E. H. Wilson var. biloba Rehder et E. H. Wilson, (Hōnoki1)
original plant image
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Family nameMagnoliaceae
Used parttrunk and blanch bark
Quality for selectionA good-quality one is dark purplish-black externally, has longitudinal striations on the inner surface, and possesses an extremely thick and dense peel. Fresh material with a slightly bitter taste is regarded as superior. (NI)
Official compendiumJP XIX, CP (2025 ed.)
Clinical applicationAs an antispasmodic, painkiller, stomachic, astringent, expectorant and diuretic, Houpo is applied for abdominal distention and pain, cough and asthma, and abnormal tension of skeletal muscle with anxiety, mental strain and all.
Medical systemTraditional Chinese medicine
Drug effect in
traditional medicine		Traditional
classification		Aromatic drugs for resolving dampness
Beneficial effect[Property and Flavor] Warm; bitter, pungent.
[Meridian Tropism] Spleen, stomach, lung and large intestine meridians.
[Actions] To dry dampness, resolve phlegm, direct qi downward, and disperse fullness.
[Indications] Dampness stagnation damaging ,the middle, epigastric stuffiness, vomiting, diarrhea, food retention, qi stagnation, abdominal distension, constipation, and wheezing and cough caused by phlegm-fluid retention.
Chemical constituentMonoterpenoids
M. obovata (*C1):
alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene, Camphene, Limonene, Bornyl acetate

Sesquiterpenoids
M. obovata (*C1):
alpha-Eudesmol, beta-Eudesmol(= Machilol), gamma-Eudesmol, Cryptomeridiol, Eudesobovatol A, Eudesobovatol B, Caryophyllene epoxide
M. officinalis (*C1):
beta-Eudesmol

Phenylpropanoids
M. obovata (*C1):
Magnolo l(= bis-Chavicol), Honokiol, Magnoloside A, Magnoloside B, Magnoloside C
M. officinalis (*C1):
Magnolol, Honokiol
M. officinalis, M. obovata (*C3,C4,C5):
Magnolol, Honokiol, 以下代謝物 / the followings are the metabolites Tetrahydromagnolol, 5-(1-Propen-1(E)-yl)-5'-propyl-2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 5-Allyl-5'-(1-propen-1(E)-yl)-2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl, Isomagnolol, 5-Allyl-5'-propyl-2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl
(*C6):
Magnolol
M. obovata 葉/leaf (*C2):
Obovatal, Obovatol

Isoquinoline alkaloids
M. obovata, M. officinalis (*C1):
Magnocurarine, Magnoflorine, Michelalbine, Anonaine, Liriodenine, Salicifoline chloride
M. officinalis, M. obovata (*C5):
Magnocurarine, Magnoflorine

Chemical structure




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Pharmacological effectRelaxation of muscles (water extract）．Sedation，suppression of righting reflex，suppression of spinal reflex，antispasm and antitremor （ether extract）．Myoneural junction blokade，transient decrease in blood sugar（magnocurarine）．Sedation，central relaxation of muscles，dental caries protection （magnolon，honokiol），antibacterial and insecticidal，antiparkinsonism （magnolol）．
DNA sequenceAB020999, AB021013, AB021000; Traditioal Medical & Parmaceutical Database.
Classical reference
(Chinese Herbal Classic "Zhenglei bencao")		※Click this image to see the actual image
DiseaseFull stomach, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Diarrhea, Cough, Dyspnea
FormulationAnzanto, Ireito, Inchinsan, Unpito, Kagen'ireito, Kakkoshokisan, Kamijokito, Kamiheiisan, Kanchuto, Kumibinroto, Keishikakobokukyoninto, Gohekiin, Kobokusammotsuto, Kobokushichimotsuto, Kobokushokyohangekanzoninjinto, Kobokumaoto, Kobokuto, Goshakusan, Saikokobokuto, Saibokuto, Shisoshito, Jippito, Shakuyakutokadaio, Shahito, Shahitokaryukotsuboreito, Jurokumiryukiin, Junchoto, Shosaikogohangekobokuto, Shojokito, Shobaito, Shohito, Jin'en'ippo, Shimpito, Zenshikunshito, Soshikokito, Daijokito, Jizenippo, Chokoshiteito, Tsudosan, Tokito, Hangekobokuto, Fukankinshokisanryo, Bunshoto, Heiisan, Hokikenchuto, Hochujishitsuto, Chuseito, Tokiyoketsuto, Naitaku-san, Naitaku-san, Hangekobokushichimotsuto, Binrojunkito, Kaishun'inchinsan, Koshayoito
Related drugsMagnolia Flower
ReferencesJP: The 19th edition of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia.
CP: Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2025 edi.
C1) The Encyclopedia of Wakan-Yaku with Color Pictures Vol. II, pp 145-147.
C2) Chem.Pharm.Bull.,30,3347(1982).
C3) Chem.Pharm.Bull.,32,5010(1984).
C4) Chem.Pharm.Bull.,34,158(1986).
C5) J.Med.Pharm.Soc.WAKAN-YAKU,3,129(1986).
C6) Shoyakugaku Zasshi,42,130(1988).
RemarksIn the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, three types of bark are specified, and they are required to contain not less than 0.8% magnolol. In the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex includes the bark of M. officinalis (referred to as Chuanpo, Hubeihoupo, etc.) and the bark of M. officinalis var. biloba (Wenpo, Wenzhouhoupo). In addition to trunk bark and branch bark, root bark is also used.
In the Japanese market, Chinese houpo is named generically as Tokoboku. In Korea, as well as the bark of M. officinalis, the bark of Machilus thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. of family Lauraceae (Jap. name: Tabunoki) is substituted. Though it is called Houpo or Baopo, the properties and flavors are completely different.
Last renewal date2026/05/12
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