Dehydrocurdione is a sesquiterpene derived from zedoary with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It functions as a specialized inducer of Heme Oxygenase (HO)-1 by interacting with Keap1 via a Michael addition reaction involving its α, β-unsaturated carbonyl group. This leads to the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and activation of the HO-1 E2 enhancer, effectively suppressing LPS-induced NO release.