Lignans from Saururus chinensis inhibiting the transcription factor NF-κB

Abstract The sesquineolignans, saucerneol D and saucerneol E were isolated from the roots of Saururus chinensis together with four known lignans, manassantin A, manassantin B, (−)-saucerneol methyl ether, and (+)-saucernetin. Structure elucidation was based on the analysis of spectroscopic data and anti-inflammatory activity was studied using HeLa cells transfected with NF-κB reporter construct. All compounds except for (+)-saucernetin inhibited NF-κB dependent reporter gene expression with IC 50 values of 2.5–16.9 μM.