cepharanthine

Cepharanthine is a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the plant Stephania cepharantha Hayata. It has been used in Japan since the 1950s to treat a variety of acute and chronic diseases, including radiation-induced leukopenia, alopecia areata, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, venomous snakebites, xerostomia, sarcoidosis, refractory anemia, and various cancer-related conditions. Cepharanthine exhibits anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antineoplastic (anticancer), antiviral (including activity against HSV and HIV in vitro), anti-parasitic and antioxidative properties[1][5][7][8]. Its mechanism of action is multifactorial: it modulates membrane efflux pumps and rigidifies membranes; intracellularly it activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibits NFκB signaling pathways—leading to reduced inflammation—and can also inhibit PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival[1][6][8]. Cepharanthine can induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and promote apoptosis in infected or malignant cells. It is approved for use primarily in Japan.

Brand names

Cepharanthin (Japan)

Other names

bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloidcycleanine