Description
Paeonol was originally found in species of Paeonia, Arisaema, and Dioscorea. Paeonol exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuromodulatory, vasodilatory, anticancer, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-angiogenic activities. Paeonol inhibits carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia and decreases production of TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS. Paeonol also induces relaxation in aortic rings, potentially through inhibition of voltage-gated and receptor-gated Ca2+ channels. In ovarian cancer cells, paeonol decreases viability by increasing activation of caspase 3, downregulating expression of survivin, and inducing apoptosis. This compound also decreases expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP2/9), suppresses activation of Akt, and prevents migration, tube formation, and vessel formation in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, paeonol decreases release of lactate dehydrogenase, expression of VCAM-1, and activation of JNK1/2, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK, preventing monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelial cells. Paeonol also inhibits monoamine oxidases A and B (MAO-A, MAO-B).