C13 Megastigmane Derivatives From β-Damascenone Inhibits the Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Leukocyte Adhesion Molecules as Well as NF-κB Signaling.

In order to identify active constituents and to gain some information regarding their mode of action, extracts from leaves of were tested for their ability to inhibit inflammatory gene expression in endothelial- and monocyte-like cells (HUVECtert and THP-1, respectively). Bioactivity-guided fractionation using expression of (COX-2) mRNA as a readout resulted in the isolation of two C13 megastigmane glycosides, gusanlungionoside C () and citroside A (), and the phenylalcohol glycoside phenylmethyl-2--(6--rhamnosyl)-ß-D-galactopyranoside (). Further analysis identified six additional megastigmane glycosides and the aglycones β-damascenone (), megastigmatrienone (), 3-hydroxy-β-damascenone (), and 3-oxo-7,8-dihydro-α-ionol ().

6-Dihydroparadol, a Ginger Constituent, Enhances Cholesterol Efflux from THP-1-Derived Macrophages.

Scope: Ginger is reported to be used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells is an important process in reverse cholesterol transport, whose increase may help to prevent or treat CVD. In this study, we investigated the effects of 6-dihydroparadol from ginger on macrophage cholesterol efflux.