Germacrone is a sesquiterpene that has been found in gingeraceae plants and has diverse biological activities. It inhibits pseudorabies virus (PRV) replication in Vero cells when used at concentrations ranging from 10 to 150 μM. Germacrone (50-250 μM) enhances cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by doxorubicin in doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7/adr cells. In vivo, germacrone (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) reduces body weight gain, visceral fat pad weight, serum insulin and plasma glucose levels, and hepatic lipid levels in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity. It decreases brain malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), as well as reduces infarct volume in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).
