Galangin (Gal)

Galangin is a flavonol, a type of flavonoid. It is found in high concentrations in Alpinia officinarum (lesser galangal) and Helichrysum aureonitens. It is also found in the galangal rhizome (Alpinia galanga) and in propolis. Galangin has been shown to have in vitro antibacterial and antiviral activity. The flavonol also inhibits the growth of breast tumor cells in vitro. Galangin inhibited the catabolic breakdown of DMBA, as measured by thin-layer chromatography, in a dose-dependent manner. Galangin also inhibited the formation of DMBA-DNA adducts, and prevented DMBA-induced inhibition of cell growth. Galangin caused a potent, dose-dependent inhibition of CYP1A1 activity, as measured by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, in intact cells and in microsomes isolated from DMBA-treated cells. galangin is a potent inhibitor of DMBA metabolism and an agonist/antagonist of the AhR, and may prove to be an effective chemopreventive agent.