Researchers discover furanodienone (FDN) as a natural anti-inflammatory agent for IBD
A groundbreaking study led by the University of Toronto has identified furanodienone (FDN), a compound found in ginger, as a promising natural therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Published in Nature Communications, the study demonstrates that FDN selectively binds to the pregnane X receptor (PXR), reducing inflammation in the colon by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Researchers found that oral administration of FDN significantly decreased inflammation in mice, suggesting its potential as a targeted and safer alternative to conventional IBD treatments. Unlike current therapies that can suppress immune function and harm liver health, FDN helps repair gut lining damage by increasing tight junction proteins, limiting its effects specifically to the colon.
With IBD diagnoses rising globally due to shifts toward processed, high-fat diets, this discovery offers hope for cost-effective and widely accessible natural treatments. The ability of FDN to modulate nuclear receptors with more precision than synthetic drugs highlights its potential role in complementary and integrative medicine.
Source: Nature Communications, University of Toronto
