Exploring the immunomodulatory and anticancer properties of zerumbone

Food Funct. 2017 Oct 18;8(10):3410-3431. doi: 10.1039/c7fo00595d.

Abstract

Plant-derived immunomodulators and anti-cancer agents have attracted a lot of interest from natural product scientists for their efficacy and safety and their significant contribution towards understanding targeted drug action and drug delivery mechanisms. Zerumbone, the main constituent of Zingiber zerumbet rhizomes, has been investigated for its wide-spectrum role in treating multitargeted diseases. The rhizomes have been used as food flavoring agents in various cuisines and in herbal medicine. Many in vivo and in vitro studies have provided evidence of zerumbone as a potent immunomodulator as well as a potential anti-cancer agent. This review is an interesting compilation of all those significant outcomes from investigations carried out to date to explore the immunomodulatory and anticancer properties of zerumbone. The ultimate objective of this comprehensive review is to provide updated information and a critical assessment on zerumbone including its chemistry and immunomodulating and anticancer properties, which may be of paramount importance to provide a new path for ensuing research to discover new agents to treat cancers and immune-related diseases. In addition, updated information on the toxicology of zerumbone has also been summarized to provide its safety profile.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / chemistry
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Sesquiterpenes / chemistry
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Zingiberaceae / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • zerumbone