hypocrellin B

**Hypocrellin B** is a fungal perylenequinone pigment isolated from *Hypocrella bambusae* and *Shiraia bambusicola*. It serves as a potent photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy. Upon light activation, hypocrellin B generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) including singlet oxygen and superoxide, inducing apoptosis and necrosis in tumor cells and microbes. It has been investigated for anti-tumor, anti-viral (including against SARS-CoV-2 and HIV), antimicrobial, and antileishmanial activities. Studies report apoptotic and antiproliferative effects in cancer cell lines (breast, lung, esophageal, ovarian, nasopharyngeal), and it is non-toxic in the dark but becomes cytotoxic upon irradiation, supporting immune stimulation via inflammatory responses. Traditionally, it has use in Chinese medicine and is under exploration for nanoformulation strategies to improve bioavailability and efficacy in PDT[1][2][4][5][6].

Other names

hypocrellin b12-acetyl-9,17-dihydroxy-5,10,16,21-tetramethoxy-13-methylhexacyclo[13.8.0.02,11.03,8.04,22.018,23]tricosa-1(15),2(11),3(8),4(22),5,9,12,16,18(23),20-decaene-7,19-dione13-Acetyl-3,8-dihydroxy-1,5,6,10-tetramethoxy-12-methyl-2H-cyclohepta[ghi]perylene-2,9(11H)-dioneHYPOCRELLIN B, HYPOCRELLA BAMBUSAE1H-Cyclohepta[ghi]perylene-5,12-dione, 3-acetyl-6,11-dihydroxy-4,8,9,13-tetramethoxy-2-methyl-