Malabaricone C, a constituent of spice Myristica malabarica, exhibits anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of cellular redox

J Biosci. 2023;48(2):9. doi: 10.1007/s12038-023-00329-3.

Abstract

The present study primarily focuses on the efficacy of Malabaricone C (Mal C) as an anti-inflammatory agent. Mal C inhibited mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. Mal C significantly reduced cellular thiols in lymphocytes. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) restored cellular thiol levels and abrogated Mal C-mediated inhibition of T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. Physical interaction between Mal C and NAC was evinced from HPLC and spectral analysis. Mal C treatment significantly inhibited concanavalin A-induced phosphorylation of ERK/JNK and DNA binding of NF-κB. Administration of Mal C to mice suppressed T-cell proliferation and effector functions ex vivo. Mal C treatment did not alter the homeostatic proliferation of T-cells in vivo but completely abrogated acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD)-associated morbidity and mortality. Our studies indicate probable use of Mal C for prophylaxis and treatment of immunological disorders caused due to hyper-activation of T-cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Myristica* / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Spices

Substances

  • malabaricone C
  • NF-kappa B
  • Cytokines
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents