IC50: 1.2 μM (NF-κB activation) [1]
Cardamonin (2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxychalcone), a chalcone isolated from the fruits of Alpinia rafflesiana, shows anti-inflammatory activity by targeting the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway. NF-κB is a protein complex that controls cytokine production, transcription of DNA and cell survival.
In vitro: Cardamonin is a potential anti-inflammatory drug that targets the NF-κB pathway, which leads to suppress both NO and PGE2 synthesis, iNOS and COX-2 expression and enzymatic activity. The inhibition activation was due to a dose-dependent inhibition of phosphorylation and degradation of I-κBα, which resulted in a reduction of p65 NF-κB nuclear translocation [2]. Cardamonin also appears to inhibit prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 production, tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) release, and intracellular reactive oxygen species generation, all in a dose-dependent manner [3]
In vivo: Cardamonin shows protective effects on acute lung injury in sepsis. In mice, the results showed that cardamonin decreases systemic inflammatory responses, during sepsis, by downregulating TNF-a and interleukins [3].
Clinical trial: So far, no clinical study has been conducted.
References:
[1] Lee JH, Jung HS, Giang PM, Jin X, Lee S, Son PT, Lee D, Hong YS, Lee K, Lee JJ. Blockade of nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway and anti-inflammatory activity of cardamomin, a chalcone analog from Alpinia conchigera. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2006 Jan;316(1):271-8. Epub 2005 Sep 23.
[2] Israf DA, Khaizurin TA, Syahida A, Lajis NH, Khozirah S. Cardamonin inhibits COX and iNOS expression via inhibition of p65NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and Ikappa-B phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Mol Immunol. 2007 Feb;44(5):673-9. Epub 2006 Jun 13.
[3] Gonalves LM, Valente IM, Rodrigues JA. An overview on cardamonin. J Med Food. 2014 Jun;17(6):633-40.