A naphthoquinone with diverse biological activities
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Deoxyshikonin

Item No. 44092

Product Insert (PDF)Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (PDF)
Technical Information
Formal Name
5,8-dihydroxy-2-(4-methyl-3-penten-1-yl)-1,4-naphthalenedione
CAS Number
43043-74-9
Synonyms
  • NSC 179184
Molecular Formula
C16H16O4
Formula Weight
272.3
Purity
≥98%
Formulation (Request formulation change)
A solid
Solubility(Learn about Variance in Solubility)
DMSO: Slightly soluble: 0.1-1 mg/mlEthanol: Slightly soluble: 0.1-1 mg/ml
SMILES
O=C1C=C(CC/C=C(C)/C)C(C2=C1C(O)=CC=C2O)=O
InChi Code
InChI=1S/C16H16O4/c1-9(2)4-3-5-10-8-13(19)14-11(17)6-7-12(18)15(14)16(10)20/h4,6-8,17-18H,3,5H2,1-2H3
InChi Key
VOMDIEGPEURZJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Origin
Plant/Lithospermum erythrorhizon (Siebold & Zucc.)
Shipping & Storage Information
Storage
-20°C
Shipping
Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere
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    1 mg

    $39

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    5 mg

    $174

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    10 mg

    $308

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    25 mg

    $675

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    Cayman Chemical
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    OBESITY RESEARCH SOLUTIONS
    Product Description

    Deoxyshikonin is a naphthoquinone that has been found in L. erythrorhizon and has diverse biological activities.1,2,3,4 It is active against H. pylori strains in vitro (MIC = 0.5-1 µg/ml) and reduces H. pylori colonization of gastric mucosa in mice when administered at a dose of 7 mg/kg.1 Deoxyshikonin (10-40 µM) inhibits rotavirus replication and inhibits rotavirus-induced autophagy in Caco-2 cells.2 In vivo, deoxyshikonin (5 and 10 mg/kg) increases body weight and survival and reduces diarrhea score in rotavirus-infected mice. Topical application of deoxyshikonin (3 and 20 µM) increases wound closure percentage in a model of diabetic wound healing using rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.3 Topical application of deoxyshikonin (0.5 mM) increases hair growth in depilated mice.4

    WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

    References & Product Citations
    Product Description References

    1. Xu, J.-y., Dong, H.-h.L., L.-j., Yang, S.-x., et al. Deoxyshikonin: A promising lead drug grass against drug resistance or sensitivity to Helicobacter pylori in an acidic environment. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 68(10), e0095924 (2024).

    2. Huang, H., Liao, D., He, B., et al. Deoxyshikonin inhibited rotavirus replication by regulating autophagy and oxidative stress through SIRT1/FoxO1/Rab7 axis. Microb. Pathog. 178, 106065 (2023).

    3. Park, J.Y., Shin, M.S., Hwang, G.S., et al. Beneficial effects of deoxyshikonin on delayed wound healing in diabetic mice. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 19(11), 3660 (2018).

    4. Li, Y., Mu, Y., Chen, X., et al. Deoxyshikonin from Arnebiae Radix promotes hair growth by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Phytomedicine 140, 156590 (2025).