Inhibition of lipoxygenase-1 by tetrahydrocurcumin.

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC)—the reduced form
of curcumin—is more hydrophilic than its parent compound.
It possesses higher stability in aqueous medium
compared to curcumin. Lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme is
implicated in inflammatory conditions. THC was investigated
for the inhibition of soy LOX-1. THC-inhibited
LOX-1 with an IC50 value of 44.6 ± 0.6 lM. Kinetics of
inhibition revealed mixed linear type with a Ki value of
46 lM. THC-inhibited LOX-1 by preventing the activation
of LOX-1 as evidenced from spectroscopic studies.
Molecular docking simulations suggested the binding of
THC near the iron cofactor. This study helps in further
understanding of the anti-inflammatory property of curcumin
derivatives and provides valuable leads as an alternative
of curcumin with better solubility and stability at
physiological pH.