Zerumbone exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing eicosanoid signaling: Evidence from LPS-induced peripheral blood leukocytes

Zerumbone, a sesquiterpene isolated from Zingiber zerumbet, has many bioactivities, exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of zerumbone on the eicosanoid signaling pathway has yet to be examined. Here, we deciphered the anti-eicosanoid properties of zerumbone isolated from ginger. The molecular interaction between zerumbone and eicosanoid metabolizing enzymes (COX-2, 5-LOX, FLAP, and LTA₄-hydrolase) and receptors (EP-4, BLT-1, and ICAM-1) along with NOS-2 were assessed using Auto-Dock 4.2 and visualized by chimera and Liggplot⁺ software. Further, the leukocytes were treated with zerumbone (1–20 μM) and activated using bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS-10 nM). The oxidative stress (OS) markers, antioxidant enzymes, and the eicosanoid pathway mediators such as COX-2, 5-LOX, BLT-1, and EP-4 were assessed. The molecular interaction of zerumbone with eicosanoids showed a higher binding affinity with mPGES-1, followed by NOS-2, FLAP, COX-2, LTA-4-hydrolase, and BLT-1. The concentration of 5 μM zerumbone effectively prevented the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). Likewise, zerumbone significantly (p<0.05) inhibited COX-2, 5-LOX, NOS-2, EP-4, BLT-1, and ICAM-1 expression in LPS-induced peripheral blood leukocytes from rats. Further, the zerumbone treatment on the human PBMCs activated with LPS showed significant inhibition in the expression of ICAM1, COX-2, 5-LOX, and the generation of inflammatory cytokines compared to the control. Overall, the data presented infers that zerumbone positively modulates critical enzymes and receptors of eicosanoids in leukocytes activated with lipopolysaccharides. Thus, zerumbone can be a potential anti-eicosanoid drug in managing inflammation.