Inhibitory effects of natural sesquiterpenoids isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria on prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide production.

Beta-turmerone and ar-turmerone, sesquiterpenoids isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma zedoaria, inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E 2 production in cultured mouse macrophage cell RAW 264.7 in a dose-dependent manner (IC 50 = 7.3 microM for beta-turmerone; IC 50 = 24.0 microM for ar-turmerone). In addition, these compounds exhibited inhibitory effects on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in the cell system.