Anti-inflammatory Activity of Flavokawain B from Alpinia pricei Hayata

Abstract

Alpinia pricei (Zingiberaceae) is a spicy herb indigenous to Taiwan. A potent anti-inflammatory compound, flavokawain B (FKB), was obtained from A. pricei. FKB significantly inhibited production of NO and PGE(2) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, it also notably decreased the secretion of TNF-alpha. Expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins was also inhibited by FKB in a dose-dependent manner. FKB blocked the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB induced by LPS, which was associated with prevention IkappaB degradation, and subsequently decreased NF-kappaB protein levels in the nucleus. Similar anti-inflammatory activities of FKB were observed in an animal assay. NO concentrations in mouse serum rose dramatically from 3.2 to 28.8 microM after mice were challenged with LPS; however, preadministration of 200 mg/kg FKB reduced the NO concentration to 3.8 microM after challenge with LPS. Moreover, FKB strongly suppressed LPS-induced iNOS, COX-2, and NF-kappaB proteins expression in mouse liver.

Dihydromyricetin ameliorates the oxidative stress response induced by methylglyoxal via the AMPK/GLUT4 signaling pathway in PC12 cells

“…The importance of diabetic encephalopathy is increasingly being recognized . Cerebrovascular changes, oxidative stress, increased levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and impaired cerebral insulin signaling systems are considered as the underlying causes of diabetic encephalopathy (Feroz et al, 2012;Lin et al, 2009). Recent data have shown that the accumulation of toxic ␣-oxoaldehydes, such as methylglyoxal (MG), may be a key determinant of cognitive dysfunction (Di Loreto et al, 2008).…”

Multispectroscopic and Molecular Modeling Approach To Investigate the Interaction of Flavokawain B with Human Serum Albumin

“…5 One of the several bioactive compounds recently isolated and characterized from Alpinia mutica in our laboratory is flavokawain B (FB), which belongs to the chalcone family of flavonoids ( Figure 1). 6 Several studies have confirmed FB as a potent antiinflammatory, 5 anticancer, 6−8 and antinociceptive 9 agent based on inhibition of the nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase pathways, 5 antiproliferation, and apoptosis of squamous, colon, and prostate cancer cell lines and chemical/ thermal models of nociception in mice, respectively. 6−8 The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a particular drug in the human system are greatly affected by its interaction with plasma proteins, as the bioavailability, distribution, and metabolism of biologically active compounds (drugs or natural products) in the body are associated with their affinities to bind to transport proteins of mammalian blood circulation.…”

Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from Alpinia calcarata by Green approach and its applications in bactericidal and nonlinear optics

“…Rhizomes of Alpinia calcarata root has antnociceptive activities [20,21]. Hence green synthesis of AgNps is demonstrated by reducing the aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO 3 )…”