Dehydrodiisoeugenol

Dehydrodiisoeugenol (DEH) is a representative and major benzofuran-type neolignan found in Myristica fragrans Houtt, possessing antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Dehydrodiisoeugenol inhibits the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and induces apoptosis, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell cycle arrest. Dehydrodiisoeugenol is commonly used in the research related to colorectal cancer, inflammatory diseases and ulcerative colitis^[1][2][3].

In vitro, treatment with Dehydrodiisoeugenol (2.5, 5 and 10µM) for 24h inhibited the activation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways and dose-dependently suppressed the expression of inflammatory mediators, including NO, iNOS, COX-2, PGE₂, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the LPS/IFNγ-induced RAW264.7 ulcerative colitis (UC) model^[1]. Treatment with Dehydrodiisoeugenol (40, 80, and 100µM) for 24h significantly inhibited the viability of HCT116 and HT29 cells^[1]. Treatment with Dehydrodiisoeugenol at 40µM for 24h induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells, suppressing Bcl-2 expression while upregulating Bax expression^[1].

In vivo, oral administration of Dehydrodiisoeugenol at 40mg/kg for 20 days significantly inhibited tumor growth in BALB/c nude mice transplanted with HCT116 cells^[1]. Oral gavage administration of Dehydrodiisoeugenol at 20mg/kg/d for 8 days significantly improved rectal bleeding in DSS-induced mice^[1].

References:
[1] Yi F, Chen N, Zhao M, et al. Dehydrodiisoeugenol targets NOD2 exerting dual effects against colitis and colorectal cancer: a double-edged sword. Mol Med. 2025;31(1):221.
[2] Li C, Zhang K, Pan G, et al. Dehydrodiisoeugenol inhibits colorectal cancer growth by endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced autophagic pathways. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2021;40(1):125.
[3] Murakami Y, Shoji M, Hirata A, Tanaka S, Yokoe I, Fujisawa S. Dehydrodiisoeugenol, an isoeugenol dimer, inhibits lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nuclear factor kappa B activation and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in macrophages. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2005;434(2):326-332.