Shikonin  (Synonyms: C.I. 75535; Isoarnebin 4)

Shikonin is a major component of a Chinese herbal medicine named zicao. Shikonin is a potent TMEM16A chloride channel inhibitor with an IC₅₀ of 6.5 μM^[1]. Shikonin is a specific pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) inhibitor^[2] and can also inhibit TNF-α and NF-κB pathway^[3]. Shikonin decreases exosome secretion through the inhibition of glycolysis^[4]. Shikonin inhibits AIM2 inflammasome activation^[7].

Shikonin is an inhibitor of TMEM16A chloride channel with an IC₅₀ of 6.5 μM^[1]. Shikonin is also a specific inhibitor of PKM2^[2] and can also inhibit tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and prevent activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. Shikonin at concentrations higher than 50 μM significantly inhibits ormal human keratinocytes (NHKs) viability, compare with that of control (P<0.05). Pretreatment with Shikonin for 2 h attenuates TNF-α-induced NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation^[3]. Treatments of Shikonin at 5 and 7.5 μM significantly inhibit the cell viability starting from 12 h and the inhibitory effects are presented in time-dependent patterns compare with the 0 h group in both cell lines. It is found that 5 μM Shikonin displays greater inhibition compare to 2.5 μM at the time points from 24 to 48 h. The invasiveness of U87 and U251 cells is significantly attenuated when treated with Shikonin at 2.5, 5, and 7.5 μM compare with the control group at 24 and 48 h (p<0.01)^[4].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

Shikonin significantly inhibits the increase in IL-1β and TNF-α expression levels in the rat model of osteoarthritis, compare with those in the osteoarthritis group (P<0.01). The NF-κB protein expression level is significantly suppressed by Shikonin in the rat model of osteoarthritis, compare with that in the osteoarthritis group (P<0.01). The induction of the iNOS level is suppressed by treatment with Shikonin in the rat model of osteoarthritis, compare with that in the osteoarthritis group (P<0.01). The administration of Shikonin markedly weakens the up-regulation of COX-2 protein expression in the rat model of osteoarthritis, as compare with that in the osteoarthritis group (P<0.01). The elevation of caspase-3 activity is significantly reduced by Shikonin treatment in the rat model of osteoarthritis, compare with that in the osteoarthritis group (P<0.01). The downregulation of Akt phosphorylation is also significantly recovered by treatment with Shikonin in the rat model of osteoarthritis, compare with that in the osteoarthritis group (P<0.01)^[5].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

288.30

C₁₆H₁₆O₅

517-89-5

Solid

Brown to reddish brown

O=C1C([C@H](O)C/C=C(C)/C)=CC(C2=C1C(O)=CC=C2O)=O

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

* Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month. When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

• [1]. Jiang Y et al. Shikonin Inhibits Intestinal Calcium-Activated Chloride Channels and Prevents Rotaviral Diarrhea. Front Pharmacol. 2016 Aug 23;7:270.  [Content Brief]

  [2]. Li W, et al. Shikonin Suppresses Skin Carcinogenesis via Inhibiting Cell Proliferation. PLoS One. 2015 May 11;10(5):e0126459.  [Content Brief]

  [3]. Yan Y, et al. Shikonin Promotes Skin Cell Proliferation and Inhibits Nuclear Factor-κB Translocation via Proteasome Inhibition In Vitro. Chin Med J (Engl). 2015 Aug 20;128(16):2228-33.  [Content Brief]

  [4]. Zhang FY, et al. Shikonin Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of Human Glioblastoma Cells by Targeting Phosphorylated β-Catenin and Phosphorylated PI3K/Akt: A Potential Mechanism for the Anti-Glioma Efficacy of a Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Oct 9;16(10):23823-48.  [Content Brief]

  [5]. Fu D, et al. Shikonin inhibits inflammation and chondrocyte apoptosis by regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in a rat model of osteoarthritis. Exp Ther Med. 2016 Oct;12(4):2735-2740.  [Content Brief]

  [6]. Kathleen M McAndrews, et al. Mechanisms associated with biogenesis of exosomes in cancer. Mol Cancer. 2019 Mar 30;18(1):52.  [Content Brief]

  [7]. Jernej Zorman, et al. Shikonin Suppresses NLRP3 and AIM2 Inflammasomes by Direct Inhibition of Caspase-1. PLoS One. 2016 Jul 28;11(7):e0159826.  [Content Brief]