4-methylesculetin is one of the coumarin derivatives with great anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. 4-Methylesculetin inhibits myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and reduces IL-6 level.
ME inhibited hyaluronan (HA) synthesis by human pancreatic cancer cells and weakened their extracellular matrix. It inhibits the adhesion and invasion of cancer cells[1].
ME showed a marked inhibitory effect on the tumor growth of pancreatic cancer in comparison with untreated controls[1]. 4-methylesculetin treatments prevent colonic damage induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) in rats. This effect can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties[2].
[1] Hajime M, et al. Int J Cancer. 2007, 120(12):2704-9. [2] Witaicenis A, et al. Chem Biol Interact. 2010, 186(2):211-8. [3] Aline Witaicenis, et al. Chem Biol Interact . 2018 Jan 25;280:59-63.