Effects of Magnolia denudata flower extract on the proliferation and differentiation of Hanwoo satellite cells for cultured meat production

The effects of Magnolia denudata flower extract on the proliferation and differentiation of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) satellite cells were examined to assess its suitability as a natural bioactive material for cultured meat production. The extract was prepared via ethanol extraction and freeze-drying, and HPLC used to quantify the contents of two major active compounds, magnolol and honokiol. Hanwoo satellite cells were isolated and cultured under proliferation and differentiation conditions with varying concentrations of (0, 0.5, 5, and 50) μg/mL of the extract. During the proliferation phase, no significant differences were observed in cell viability, cell count, or PAX7–positive nuclei across treatment groups, indicating that the extract did not affect cell proliferation. Likewise, the mRNA expression levels of PAX7, MAPK1, and AKT1 showed no significant differences, whereas MYOD1 expression was significantly decreased, suggesting a shift away from myogenic commitment rather than active progression toward differentiation. In contrast, during the differentiation phase, treatment with the extract significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of myogenic markers MYOG and MYH1. The effect on myogenic differentiation was most pronounced at the highest concentration (T3, 50 μg/mL). These results suggest that Magnolia denudata flower extract promotes the differentiation of Hanwoo muscle satellite cells without affecting their proliferation, supporting its application in cultured meat production as a functional additive.