Cucurbitacin I

Cucurbitacin I, Cucumis sativus L. has been found to suppress levels of phosphotyrosine Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) in v-Src-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. These transcription factors have been known to mediate a wide variety of biological functions in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Their inhibition can result in the suppression of Stat3 DNA binding and Stat3-mediated gene transcription. Additionally this compound has been found to reduce in vitro clonogenicity of certain cancer cells. The anti-proliferation activity of this compound is also related to its downregulating activity against Stat3 target gene expression. Hyperactivation of the JAK2 (Janus-activated kinase 2) has been reported to be responsible for abnormal dendritic cell differentiation. The blocking of this kinase by Curcurbitacin I could potentially stop abnormal dendrite cell differentiation and promote differentiation of mature macrophages and dendritic cells. Cucurbitacin I, Cucumis sativus L. is an inhibitor of JAK2.