Comparative Study on Inhibitory Activity of Zerumbone and Zerumbone 2,3-Epoxide on NF-κB Activation and NO Production

In the present study the significant role of the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl structure in the anti-inflammatory activity of the natural humulane sesqui-terpenoids zerumbone and zerumbone 2,3-epoxide was evidenced from a comparative study of the ability of zerumbone and zerumbone 2,3-epoxide to inhibit NF-κB activation and NO production in LPS (lipopolysaccharide)- stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The IC50 of these compounds were 1.97 μM ± 0.18 and 30.11 μM ± 4.10 in the NF-κB activation assay and 3.58 μM ± 0.46 and 34.7 μM ± 3.72 in the nitric oxide production assay, respectively.