Compound D, (E)-4-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-ol, is one of many compounds found
in the hexane extract of Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. The anti-inflammatory activity of compound
D was assessed using various inflammatory models in comparison with aspirin, indomethacin
and prednisolone. The results obtained showed that the anti-inflammatory effect of compound
D mediated prominently on the acute phase of inflammation. It exerted marked inhibition
on carrageenin-induced rat paw edema as well as on the exudate formation, leukocyte accumulation
and prostaglandin biosynthesis in carrageenin-induced rat pleurisy. Compound D possessed
only slight inhibition on both primary and secondary lesions of adjuvant-induced arthritis and
had no effect on cotton pellet-induced granuloma. Compound D elicited analgesic activity when
tested on acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice but had weak inhibitory activity on tail
flick responding to radiant heat. Compound D possessed marked antipyretic effect when tested
on yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats.