Pharmacophore an International Research Journal
Magnolia officinalis is a tree whose parts (bark, leaves, flowers) are characterized by a content-rich in phytochemical compounds of great interest nowadays. Modern medicine relies on the replacement of conventional treatments or the completion of treatment schemes with plant extracts rich in different phytochemical classes for greater efficiency and to reduce side effects. In this work, the oil was extracted from the leaves of Magnolia officinalis, which was characterized by GC-MS, highlighting the majority of compounds from the class of monoterpenes (linalool and linalool derivatives) and sesquiterpenes (caryophyllene). These compounds have been described from the point of view of the action they can exert in different conditions, highlighting the main mechanisms of action. Magnolia officinalis leaves were also characterized by macro- and microscopic analysis. The obtained oil was tested from the point of view of antimicrobial activity on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and was included in biocompatible capsules through a quick and cheap method called the coacervation method. The need to encapsulate the oil is given by the fact that the properties of Magnolia oil are lost over time if it is preserved as such and due to the low bioavailability in the case of oral administration, the encapsulated form solves all these inconveniences. Future perspectives are related to testing the bioavailability of the encapsulated Magnolia oil by oral administration of the capsules and testing their properties over time during storage.
