Helenalin is a selective inhibitor of transcription factor NF-κB by direct targeting of p65. It is an anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenelactone compound with alkylating activity. Through its ability to target the cysteine sulfhydryl groups in the p65 subunit of NF-κB, helenalin effectively inhibits its DNA binding.
Ambrosin is a sesquiterpenelactone and a potent NF-κβ inhibitor. It is currently being studied as a potential lead drug for Alzheimer disease therapeutics.
Isonanangenine B is a drimane sesquiterpenelactone that has been found in Aspergillus. It decreases survivin mRNA expression in a reporter assay when used at concentrations of 13.6, 18.42, and 26.31 µM. Isonanagenine B (18.42 µM) inhibits STAT3 and NF-κB binding to the survivin promoter in chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. It also induces apoptosis in COLO 320DM cells.