Sesquiterpenes

Artesunate is an inhibitor of both STAT-3 and exported protein 1 (EXP1).

Dihydroartemisinin is an orally active metabolite of rtemisinin (HY-B0094) and antimalarial agent. Dihydroartemisinin induces Autophagy by inhibiting NF-κB activation. Dihydroartemisinin promotes ROS accumulation. Dihydroartemisinin exhibits anticancer activity in esophageal cancer cells. Dihydroartemisinin shows schistosomicidal activity against juvenile and adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum, reduces worm burden, and displays antiparasitic activity. Dihydroartemisinin can be used in research related to multiple myeloma, promyelocytic leukemia, esophageal cancer, and Schistosoma japonicum infection.

Artemisinin (Qinghaosu), a sesquiterpene lactone, is an anti-malarial agent isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia annua L. plants. Artemisinin inhibits AKT signaling pathway by decreasing pAKT in a dose-dependent manner. Artemisinin reduces cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, tumorigenesis and metastasis and has neuroprotective effects.

Parthenolide is a sesquiterpene lactone found in the medicinal herb Feverfew. Parthenolide exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NF-κB activation; also inhibits HDAC1 protein without affecting other class I/II HDACs.

Abscisic acid ((S)-(+)-Abscisic acid), an orally active phytohormone in fruits and vegetables, is an endogenously produced mammalian hormone. Abscisic acid is a growth inhibitor and can regulate many aspects of plant growth and development. Abscisic acid inhibits proton pump (H⁺-ATPase) and leads to the plasma membrane depolarization in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. Abscisic acid, a LANCL2 natural ligand, is a potent insulin-sensitizing compound and has the potential for pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Curcumenol ((+)-Curcumenol) is a natural compound with oral efficacy, exhibiting an IC₅₀ of 12.6 μM and a K_i of 10.8 μM against human CYP3A4. Curcumenol inhibits TNFα-induced phosphorylation/degradation of IκBα, phosphorylation/nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65, as well as the upregulation of MMP3, MMP9, MMP13, TRAF3, IL1RL1, TNFα and IL-1β. Curcumenol suppresses LPS-induced phosphorylation of Akt and p38 MAPK, as well as the production of pro-inflammatory mediators/proteins, and downregulates the SLC7A11/NF-κB/TGF-β pathway. Curcumenol binds to and inhibits the activation of Fyn and Lyn, blocks the function of downstream FcεRI signaling components, and reduces the release of allergic mediators/cytokines. Curcumenol upregulates the expression of KDM6B, and promotes chondrocyte proliferation and cartilage repair. Curcumenol induces ferroptosis and apoptosis, regulates the EMT process, and inhibits tumor growth and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer. Curcumenol possesses anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral and hepatoprotective activities. Curcumenol can be used in research related to intervertebral disc degeneration, cancer, inflammation, central nervous system neurodegenerative diseases, allergic reactions and knee osteoarthritis.

Deoxyelephantopin, a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone from Elephantopus scaber, has shown promising anticancer effects against a broad spectrum of cancers. Deoxyelephantopin inhibits NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and β-catenin signaling.

Carabrone is a sesquiterpene found in the fruits of Carpesium abrotanoides and acts as a STAT3 inhibitor (K_d = 25.23 nM) with antibacterial, antitumor, and orally active properties. Carabrone covalently binds to UBE2D3 via Cys85 (K_d = 3.85 μM) and inhibits IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB signaling. Carabrone induces ROS accumulation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA fragmentation, and metacaspase-1-mediated apoptosis in fungi. Carabrone ameliorates autoimmune encephalomyelitis and MASH in vivo, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines without immunotoxicity. Carabrone is used in research related to autoimmune encephalomyelitis, steatohepatitis, and fungal infections.

β-Elemene ((-)-β-Elemene; Levo-β-elemene) is isolated from natural plant Curcuma aromatica with an antitumor activity. β-Elemene can induce cell apoptosis.

Deoxynivalenol, an orally active mycotoxin of the trichothecenes family, crosses the intestinal mucosa by a paracellular pathway through the tight junctions. The Deoxynivalenol transport is not affected by P-glycoprotein (PgP) or multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) inhibitors.

Artemether is an anti-malarial compound that targets drug-resistant strains of falciparum malaria.

Costunolide ((+)-Costunolide) is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone, with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, bone remodeling, neuroprotective, hair growth promoting, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. Costunolide can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis on breast cancer cells.

Atractylenolide I is a sesquiterpene derived from the rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala, possesses diverse bioactivities, such as neuroprotective, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Atractylenolide I reduces protein levels of phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3 in A375 cells, and acts as a TLR4-antagonizing agent.

β-Caryophyllene is a CB2 receptor agonist.

Picrotoxinin, a potent convulsant, is a chloride channel blocker. Picrotoxinin is a noncompetitive GABA_A receptor antagonist, which negatively modulates the action of GABA on GABA_A receptors. Picrotoxinin inhibits α₁β₂γ_2L GABA_A receptor with an IC₅₀ of 1.15 μM.

Curcumol ((-)-Curcumol), a bioactive sesquiterpenoid, possesses numerous pharmacological activities like anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiinflammatory. Curcumol is a potent inducer of apoptosis in numerous cancer cells via targeting key signaling pathways as MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt and NF-κB which are generally deregulated in several cancers.

Nootkatone, a neuroprotective agent from Vitis vinifera, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Nootkatone improves cognitive impairment in lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

(E)-β-Farnesene (trans-β-Farnesene) is an aphid alarm pheromone, which can be found in Phlomis aurea Decne essential oil. (E)-β-Farnesene shows good binding score with a value of -30.64 kcal/mol to the CDK2 receptor. (E)-β-Farnesene also exhibits good affinity to odorant-binding protein 3 (OBP3). (E)-β-Farnesene can be used as a feeding stimulant for the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis.

Britannin is an NLRP3 inhibitor with an IC₅₀ of 3.630 μM, exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity. Britannin inhibits the activation and assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome by blocking the interaction between NLRP3 and NEK7. Additionally, Britannin demonstrates antitumor activity by inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells through blocking the interaction between HIF-1α and Myc, thereby suppressing PD-L1 expression and enhancing cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. Britannin can also induce apoptosis and autophagy in liver cancer cells by activating ROS-regulated AMPK. Britannin holds promise for research in the fields of anti-inflammatory and antitumor therapeutics.

Helenalin is an anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactone. Helenalin selectively inhibits transcription factor NF-κB by directly targeting p65. Helenalin has alkylating activity, targets the cysteine sulfhydryl groups in the p65 subunit of NF-κB, thereby inhibits its DNA binding.