Magnolia biondii is widely distributed in China. It is commonly found in Gansu, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan provinces. It is usually found in forests in the mountains. The plant was discovered and introduced to the Western hemisphere more than 70 years ago. The dried flower buds of Magnolia biondii are used medicinally in China and Japan.
The chemical compositions of volatile components from Magnolia biondii Pamp were determined by steam distillation and headspace solid phase micro-extraction followed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Fifty-six compounds were identified and the major volatile components were d-camphor, 1,8-cineol, alpha-terpineol and alpha-cadinene. was successfully applied for the first time to the isolation and purification of five lignans including pinoresinol dimethyl ether, magnolin, epi-magnolin A, fargesin, and demethoxyaschantin from M. biondii Pamp after microwave-assisted extraction.