Zerumbone from Ginger (Monoterpenoid)

Natural products have been regarded as safe and have been shown to have anticancer activities against a variety of cancer cell types. Zerumbone was initially isolated from the rhizome of a subtropical wild shampoo ginger (Zingiber zerumbet Smith) and was determined to be an anti-inflammatory agent. Carcinogenesis is a multistep process involving the transformation, survival, proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. The pathways associated with this process have been linked to inflammation. Zerumbone inhibits carcinogenesis via reduction of inflammatory signaling, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). In various cancers, zerumbone inhibits tumor proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis by reducing NF-κB activity. In the near future, we should focus on both careful and accurate characterization of zerumbone and better elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in their actions. Furthermore, we should determine the efficacy of zerumbone by in vivo studies using proper animal models of cancer and demonstrate their safety and effectiveness in clinical trials.