Abstract 1672 Characterization of hispolon as an inhibitor of caspase-1

Inflammation, a typical biological response to cell damage, is associated with various disease states including physical injury, infection, and some forms of cancer. A family of 12 caspases play crucial roles in apoptosis, inflammation, and cell signaling. Caspase-1, or interleukin-converting enzyme (ICE), is a central component of the inflammatory cascade regardless of the inflammatory signal origin. Hispolon, a naturally derived compound from the East Asian fungus Phellinus linteus, is a catechol-containing molecule.