The present invention relates to a composition for the prevention and
treatment of inflammatory disease containing the extracts of Magnolia
obovata or fractions thereof as an active ingredient, more precisely, a
composition for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory disease
containing the extracts of Magnolia obovata fruits and floral buds
extracted with alcohol or alcohol aqueous solution as a solvent and
active fractions isolated from the same. The extracts and fractions of
the present invention inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric
oxide (NO) generation significantly, have anti-inflammation activity and
low cytotoxicity, and contain all of major effective components isolated
from Magnolia obovata such as obovatol, honokiol and magnolol, so that
they can be effectively used for the prevention and treatment of
inflammatory disease.