Researchers from Bengbu Medical College have discovered new derivatives of honokiol, a biphenyl neolignan extracted from Magnolia species, which has been shown to possess pharmacological properties, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-infectious and neuroprotective activities. A total of 21 new honokiol derivatives were synthesized, with derivative [I] being selected as the lead with the most potent in vitro cytotoxic activity.