2-Methyl-pyran-4-one-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside isolated from leaves of Punica granatum inhibits the TNFα-induced cell adhesion molecules expression by blocking nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB).

Here, we report bioactivity-guided isolation, purification and characterization of a novel compound, 2-methyl-pyran-4-one-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (MPG) from the leaves of Punica granatum. The structure of MPG was established on the basis of its detailed spectral analyses. We demonstrated that MPG not only inhibited the expression of cell adhesion molecules but also significantly blocked its functional consequence, that is, the adhesion of neutrophils on human endothelial cells monolayer. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of action of MPG, we showed that MPG decreased the transcript levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin genes. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and western blot analyses, we demonstrated that MPG significantly blocked both the TNFα-induced translocation and activation of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB). Thus, MPG could be useful as a novel lead molecule for developing future anti-inflammatory agents.