Avenanthramide-C methyl ester is an inhibitor of NF-κB activation that acts by blocking the phosphorylation of IKK and IκB (IC50 ~ 40 μM). Through this mechanism, avenanthramide-C methyl ester dose dependently inhibits the expression and secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 in human aortic endothelial cells.
Chrysotobibenzyl, a bibenzyl found in the stem of Dendrobium pulchellum, may facilitate anoikis--a form of programmed cell death that occurs in anchorage-dependent cells when they detach from the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM)-- and inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells in anchorage-independent condition. Preliminary data obtained discloses the inhibitory effect on cancer cell metastasis of the isolated compounds and may provide a new approach for cancer drug development.