Natural compound cudraflavone B shows promising anti-inflammatory properties in vitro

J Nat Prod. 2011 Apr 25;74(4):614-9. doi: 10.1021/np100638h. Epub 2011 Feb 14.

Abstract

Cudraflavone B (1) is a prenylated flavonoid found in large amounts in the roots of Morus alba, a plant used as a herbal remedy for its reputed anti-inflammatory properties. The present study shows that this compound causes a significant inhibition of inflammatory mediators in selected in vitro models. Thus, 1 was identified as a potent inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) gene expression and secretion by blocking the translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in macrophages derived from a THP-1 human monocyte cell line. The NF-κB activity reduction resulted in the inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) gene expression. Compound 1 acts as a COX-2 and COX-1 inhibitor with higher selectivity toward COX-2 than indomethacin. Pretreatment of cells by 1 shifted the peak in an regulatory gene zinc-finger protein 36 (ZFP36) expression assay. This natural product has noticeable anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that 1 potentially could be used for development as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug lead.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / drug effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Cyclooxygenase 1 / drug effects
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / isolation & purification*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / isolation & purification*
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Molecular Structure
  • Morus / chemistry*
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Tristetraprolin / drug effects
  • Tristetraprolin / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics

Substances

  • Actins
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tristetraprolin
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • ZFP36 protein, human
  • cudraflavone B
  • Cyclooxygenase 1
  • PTGS1 protein, human