2-Undecanone

2-Undecanone (CAS No.: 112-12-9) is a volatile organic ketone widely utilized as a bioactive small molecule in studies of cellular stress responses, host–pathogen interactions, and inflammation-associated signaling pathways. It has been shown to exert antibacterial activity through disruption of bacterial chaperone systems, particularly by inhibiting DnaKJE-ClpB-dependent protein refolding processes, thereby impairing recovery of heat-inactivated proteins and interfering with microbial stress adaptation. In mammalian experimental systems, 2-Undecanone modulates key signaling cascades, including suppression of NF-κB activation and induction of the Nrf2 pathway, contributing to reduced oxidative stress and attenuation of inflammation-related cellular remodeling. Preclinical investigations further indicate that this compound can inhibit lung tumorigenesis in chemically induced models, supporting its relevance in cancer biology research. Reported bioactivity is generally observed in the low micromolar to micromolar concentration range, although specific experimental conditions may vary depending on assay design and biological context. 2-Undecanone is therefore commonly applied in in vitro cell-based assays and in vivo disease models to investigate mechanisms of infection, inflammatory signaling, oxidative damage, and tumor development, providing a useful tool for target validation and pathway-oriented drug discovery research.