Identification of zerumbone in zingiber zerumbet smith as a potent inhibitor of 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced epstein-barr virus activation

Abstract

Zerumbone was isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet Smith as a potent inhibitor of tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced Epstein-Barr virus activation. The IC50 value of zerumbone (0.14 μM) is noticeably lower than those of the anti-tumor promoters we have hitherto obtained. Interestingly, α-humulene lacking the carbonyl group at the 8-position in zerumbone was inactive (IC50>100 μM), while 8-hydroxy-α-humulune was markedly active (IC50=0.95 μM). © 1999, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.