Plumericin inhibited NF-κB-mediated transactivation of a luciferase reporter gene (IC50 1 μM), abolished TNF-α-induced expression of the adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin in endothelial cells and suppressed thioglycollate-induced peritonitis in mice. The gene discussed is VCAM1; the disease is peritonitis.