Cryptotanshinone

Cryptotanshinone is a liposoluble diterpenoid quinone and one of the major active constituents isolated from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It has been widely studied for its diverse pharmacological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and cardiovascular protective effects. Cryptotanshinone exhibits potent anticancer activity by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing cell death in various cancer cell lines such as breast, prostate, lung, cervical cancer and leukemia. Mechanistically, it acts through multiple pathways: - Inhibits signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) by binding to its SH2 domain and blocking dimerization/nuclear translocation. - Suppresses Janus kinase 2/STAT3 signaling pathway. - Induces caspase-independent cell death via activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK while inhibiting Erk1/2. - Causes G1/G0 or G2/M cell cycle arrest depending on the tumor type by modulating cyclin expression. Cryptotanshinone also inhibits CYP enzyme activity while activating pregnane X receptor (PXR) and inducing UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene expression. It is poorly absorbed orally with low bioavailability but distributes mainly to liver after administration[1][2][4][5][6].

Other names

cryptotanshinonecryptotanshinontanshinone C