A Comparative Study on Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Enantiomers, Shikonin and Alkannin

Tanaka, Shigeo; Tajima, Mayumi; Tsukada, Masaru; Tabata, Minoru

doi:10.1021/np50045a014

Cited by 160 publications

(85 citation statements)

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“…It is well known that shikalkin derivatives are naturally produced in the roots of some Boraginaceae plants like L. erythrorhizon, A.euchroma and Alkanna tinctoria (Papageorgiouet al, 1999;Tanaka et al, 1986;Xu-Qing & De-Wei, 1999). However, L. officinale is known for its PPA content (Kelley et al, 1975;DeEknamkul & Ellis, 1984).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lithospermum officinale callus produces shikalkin

et al. 2006

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To study biosynthetic abilities of Lithospermum officinale, callus formation from young leaves and stems of the plant was induced on Linsmaier-Skoog medium supplemented with 2,4-D (10 −6 M) and kinetin (10 −5 M). Maintaining the calli on this medium resulted in polyphenolic compounds production. Their transfer onto White medium containing IAA (10 −7 M) and kinetin (10 −5 M) resulted in the production of a red naphthoquinonic pigment named shikalkin. Shikalkin production from callus cultures was suppressed on the White medium containing NAA instead of IAA. This observation indicates that both shikalkin and polyphenolic acids biosynthetic pathways exist in the L. officinale callus cells and a regulatory system counterbalances the ratio of shikalkin to polyphenolic acids.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lithospermum officinale callus produces shikalkin

et al. 2006

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“…Therefore, we only measured the level of SC ceramide, but not the other SC lipid contents. Thus, ceramide-containing, or ceramideenhancing in the epidermis products may be of value in preventing the expression of eczema and decreasing the need for topical steroids and im- Gromwell, a plant species of the Boraginaceae family, referred to as zicao in China, shikon in Japan, and jacho in Korea, has been used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of wounds and inflammation and the healing burns 9 , and has also been used as a colorant in cosmetics, fabrics, and foods in diverse cultures 42,43 . Additionally, it has been used for the production of traditional liquor (Jindo hongju) in Korea 44,45 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) has been used as an herbal medicine for treatment of various abnormal skin conditions including wounds, inflammation and healing burns 9 . When the systemic efficacy of gromwell is examined in hyperproliferative epidermis of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficient guinea pigs in our previous study, gromwell supplementation was effective in reversing epidermal hyperproliferation in parallel with a marked increase of ceramides 10 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) Extract on the Stratum Corneum Hydration and Ceramides Content in Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Cho

Kim

et al. 2008

Ann Dermatol

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Background: A disruption of the balance between the water content of the stratum corneum (SC) and skin surface lipids may lead to the clinical manifestation of dryness of skin in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).Objective: To determine whether supplementation of gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon), one of herbs used in East Asia in remedies for various abnormal skin conditions, may improve the SC level of hydration and ceramides, major lipid in SC in patients with AD.Methods: A total of 28 subjects with AD were randomly assigned into two groups: either gromwell group received dextrose contained capsules with 1.5 g of gromwell extracts or placebo group received only dextrose contained capsules for 10 weeks.Results: In contrast to no alteration of SC hydration and ceramides in placebo group, the SC hydration in gromwell group was significantly increased in parallel with an increase of SC ceramides. Furthermore, % increase of SC hydration in gromwell group bore a positive correlation with the clinical severity, which suggests that the increase of SC hydration in gromwell group was more effective as AD was more severe.Conclusion: Supplementation of gromwell improves SC hydration in parallel with an increase of ceramides in part.

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“…Previous studies have demonstrated that shikonin and its derivatives possess multiple biological functions such as anti-microbial, antiinflammatory, anti-HIV and anti-platelet effects (Tanaka et al, 1986;Ko et al, 1995;Shen et al, 2002;Chen et al, 2003). In addition, accumulating lines of evidence have shown that shikonin and its derivatives exhibit antitumor activity in a variety of human cancers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%