NFκB, a transcription factor, regulates the expression of a number of genes involved in carcinogenesis. Thus, agents that can suppress NFκB activation have the potential to suppress carcinogenesis. In the present investigation, gallic acid was isolated from Alchornea glandulosa (Euphorbiaceae) and eight semi-synthetic alkyl gallates were prepared from the reaction of the corresponding alcohols with gallic acid at 80oC for 48 h in good yields (70-97%). All the compounds were evaluated against TNF-α-induced NFκB activation with stable transfected 293/NFκB-Luc human embryonic kidney cells. Treatment of cells with gallic acid and the gallate esters (20 µg/ml) significantly reduced TNF-α... |