Rhizome Extract Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis: Active Ingredient Investigation and Evaluation.

is an important food spice and ethnic medicine in Southwest China. In this study, we found that the EtOAc-soluble fraction (AHE) of the rhizome ethanol extract could ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). To explore active constituents, five pairs of previously unreported enantiomers (-), together with nine known ones (-), were obtained. Structural characterization was achieved by comprehensive spectroscopic methods. Compounds and were new curcumin-butyrovanillone hybrids featuring a rare structural fragment of 2,3-dihyrofuran. The anti-inflammatory activities of isolates were evaluated, and the results indicated that compounds (-)-, (-)-, , , , and significantly inhibited the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. These findings indicate the major active fraction of the rhizome ethanol extract enriched with diarylheptanoids, flavonoids, phenolics, and their hybrid mixtures, which could be developed as a nutritional and dietary supplement for treating UC.