Auranofin
Based on 45 publication(s) in Google Scholar
Auranofin (SKF-39162) is a thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibitor with an IC50 of 0.2 μM. Auranofin exhibits antiviral activity against SARS-CoV21, with a CC50 of 4.2 μM for monkey kidney Vero E6 cells.
For research use only. We do not sell to patients.
- Purity: 99.71%
- CAS No.: 34031-32-8
- Formula: C20H34AuO9PS
- Molecular Weight:678.48
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Storage:
4°C, sealed storage, away from moisture
* In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (sealed storage, away from moisture)
Publications Citing Use of MedChemExpress (MCE) Auranofin
More- Nature. 2026 May;653(8115):933-941. [Abstract]
- Nature. 2025 Feb;638(8050):519-527. [Abstract]
- Nat Aging. 2024 Feb;4(2):185-197. [Abstract]
- Nat Microbiol. 2020 Nov;5(11):1439-1448. [Abstract]
- Nat Commun. 2025 Sep 2;16(1):8181. [Abstract]
- Nat Commun. 2024 Aug 30;15(1):7522. [Abstract]
- Nat Commun. 2020 Oct 16;11(1):5263. [Abstract]
- Cell Death Differ. 2020 Mar;27(3):1086-1104. [Abstract]
- Adv Sci (Weinh). 2024 Mar;11(9):e2304939. [Abstract]
- Nucleic Acids Res. 2021 Jan 8;49(D1):D1113-D1121. [Abstract]
- Redox Biol. 2025 May 8:84:103657. [Abstract]
- Redox Biol. 2024 Sep:75:103277. [Abstract]
- Redox Biol. 2020 Sep;36:101652. [Abstract]
- J Hazard Mater. 2025 Mar 18:492:137969. [Abstract]
- Cancer Biol Med. 2025 Jun 27:j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0026. [Abstract]
- NPJ Precis Oncol. 2025 Nov 21;9(1):373. [Abstract]
- Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 Apr.
- Cell Death Discov. 2026 Jun 19. [Abstract]
- Cell Death Discov. 2025 Nov 17;11(1):532. [Abstract]
- Arch Toxicol. 2020 Oct;94(10):3433-3447. [Abstract]
- Cell Rep. 2019 Jul 9;28(2):512-525.e6. [Abstract]
- Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Mar 8;12(3):667. [Abstract]
- Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2022 Dec 1:247:114263. [Abstract]
- Eur J Med Chem. 2023 Jan 5;245(Pt 1):114860. [Abstract]
- Int J Mol Sci. 2026 May 21;27(10):4619. [Abstract]
- PLoS Pathog. 2026 Apr 24;22(4):e1014125. [Abstract]
- Int J Mol Sci. 2026 Feb 23;27(4):2062. [Abstract]
- Molecules. 2023 May 27;28(11):4380. [Abstract]
- Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2026 Mar 17. [Abstract]
- Cancers. 2019 Jul 3;11(7):931. [Abstract]
- Antiviral Res. 2026 Jun:250:106417. [Abstract]
- Sci Rep. 2026 Mar 20;16(1):14300. [Abstract]
- Neurochem Res. 2025 Dec 29;51(1):26. [Abstract]
- PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019 Aug 20;13(8):e0007681. [Abstract]
- Front Oncol. 2018 Dec 17:8:611. [Abstract]
- Invest New Drugs. 2019 Dec;37(6):1166-1176. [Abstract]
- Vet Comp Oncol. 2024 Dec;22(4):555-565. [Abstract]
- Res Sq. 2026 Jun 15.
- bioRxiv. 2026 Jan 26.
- SSRN. 2025 Aug 7.
- bioRxiv. 2024 Oct 13:2024.10.10.617667. [Abstract]
- bioRxiv. 2024 November 10.
- SSRN. 2024 May 17.
- bioRxiv. 2024 May 15.
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. 2023 Aug.
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Cell Proliferation/Viability Assay
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Histological Imaging/Staining
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Biological Activity
IC50: 0.2 μM (TrxR)[1]
Auranofin is a drug that is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but is being investigated for potential therapeutic application in a number of other diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders. Auranofin induces apoptosis in cells through a Bax/Bak-dependent mechanism associated with selective disruption of mitochondrial redox homeostasis in conjunction with oxidation of Prx3[1].
Auranofin inhibits proliferation and survival of SKOV3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Auranofin treatment activates the pro-apoptotic caspase-3, increases protein levels of apoptosis-inducing proteins Bax and Bim and reduces the expression of the anti-apoptotic mediator Bcl-2 in SKOV3 cells[2].
Auranofin is a lipophilic gold compound with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Auranofin inhibits the cell growth and induction of mitochondrial apoptosis in PC3 human prostate cancer cells. Treatment with auranofin significantly inhibits cell viability with an IC50 value of 2.5 μM after 24 h[3].
MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.
MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.
| NCT Number | Sponsor | Condition | Start Date |
Phase
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT01329991 | Plexxikon| | 2011-05 | PHASE1 |
Chemical Information
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CAS No. 34031-32-8
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Appearance Solid
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Molecular Weight 678.48
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Formula C20H34AuO9PS
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Color White to off-white
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SMILES
CC(O[C@@H]([C@@H]([C@H]1COC(C)=O)OC(C)=O)[C@H]([C@@H](O1)[S-][Au+][P](CC)(CC)CC)OC(C)=O)=O
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Synonyms
SKF-39162
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Shipping
Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.
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Storage
4°C, sealed storage, away from moisture
* In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (sealed storage, away from moisture)
Publications (45)
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Journal Impact Factor
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Most Recent
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Nature
2026 May;653(8115):933-941. PMID: 41851454 -
Nature
2025 Feb;638(8050):519-527. PMID: 39880951
Auranofin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Nature. 2025 Feb;638(8050):519-527. [Abstract]
Co-IP analysis of FBXO31 and endogenous clients as in g for cells treated with H2O2 (20 min, 200 µM), menadione (2 h, 10 µM), or Auranofin (2 h, 10 µM).
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Nat Aging
TXNRD1 drives the innate immune response in senescent cells with implications for age-associated inflammation. [Abstract]2024 Feb;4(2):185-197. PMID: 38267705
Auranofin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Nat Aging. 2024 Feb;4(2):185-197. [Abstract]
Mice were injected intraperitoneally once every 3 days with 5 mg/kg Auranofin in solvent for 7 times. Images of immunostaining for NLRP3 in the ovary tissues from young (4 months) and aged mice (22 months) with or without Tri-1 and auranofin treatments were obtained.
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Nat Microbiol
Metallodrug ranitidine bismuth citrate suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication and relieves virus-associated pneumonia in Syrian hamsters. [Abstract]2020 Nov;5(11):1439-1448. PMID: 33028965 -
Nat Commun
Targeting ALDH16A1 mediated thioredoxin lysosomal degradation to enhance ferroptosis susceptibility in SMARCA4-deficient NSCLC. [Abstract]2025 Sep 2;16(1):8181. PMID: 40897711
Auranofin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Nat Commun. 2025 Sep 2;16(1):8181. [Abstract]
Cell viability in PC9 and A549 cells treated with RSL3 for 6 h or IKE for 24 h following pre-treatment with 1 μM Auranofin, PX-12, or conoidin A for 6 h was measured.
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Nat Commun
SLC13A3 is a major effector downstream of activated β-catenin in liver cancer pathogenesis. [Abstract]2024 Aug 30;15(1):7522. PMID: 39215042 -
Nat Commun
Resensitizing carbapenem- and colistin-resistant bacteria to antibiotics using auranofin. [Abstract]2020 Oct 16;11(1):5263. PMID: 33067430 -
Cell Death Differ
2020 Mar;27(3):1086-1104. PMID: 31367013 -
Adv Sci (Weinh)
Identification of PRDX5 as A Target for The Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. [Abstract]2024 Mar;11(9):e2304939. PMID: 38115765 -
Nucleic Acids Res
COVID19 Drug Repository: text-mining the literature in search of putative COVID19 therapeutics. [Abstract]2021 Jan 8;49(D1):D1113-D1121. PMID: 33166390 -
Redox Biol
Ferroptosis in acute liver Failure: Unraveling the hepcidin-ferroportin axis and therapeutic interventions. [Abstract]2025 May 8:84:103657. PMID: 40393152 -
Redox Biol
TrxR1 is involved in the activation of Caspase-11 by regulating the oxidative-reductive status of Trx-1. [Abstract]2024 Sep:75:103277. PMID: 39059206 -
Redox Biol
Mitochondrial TXNRD3 confers drug resistance via redox-mediated mechanism and is a potential therapeutic target in vivo. [Abstract]2020 Sep;36:101652. PMID: 32750669
Auranofin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Redox Biol. 2020 Sep;36:101652. [Abstract]
Effect of Auranofin on expression of TXNRD3 and Bcl-2 family members. SK-Hep1OE or SK-Hep1VC cells are treated with various concentrations of Auranofin for 24 h, and immunoblot analysis is performed with the indicated antibodies.
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J Hazard Mater
Isobavachalcone confers protection against Cryptococcus neoformans-induced ferroptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans via lifespan extension and GSH-GPX-1 axis modulation. [Abstract]2025 Mar 18:492:137969. PMID: 40154123 -
Cancer Biol Med
Beyond gold: the chemoenhancing mechanism and therapeutic potential of auranofin in melanoma. [Abstract]2025 Jun 27:j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0026. PMID: 40579895 -
NPJ Precis Oncol
Integrative profiling strategies to guide personalized therapy in mantle cell lymphoma: a pilot study. [Abstract]2025 Nov 21;9(1):373. PMID: 41272086 -
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Cell Death Discov
Thioredoxin system dysregulation and calpain activation drive myocardial disulfidptosis via pathological disulfide bonds remodeling. [Abstract]2026 Jun 19. PMID: 42321161 -
Cell Death Discov
ChaC1-based drug screenings identify a synergistic lethal effect of auranofin and proteasome inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. [Abstract]2025 Nov 17;11(1):532. PMID: 41249117 -
Arch Toxicol
2020 Oct;94(10):3433-3447. PMID: 32671444 -
Cell Rep
Branched-Chain Amino Acid Metabolic Reprogramming Orchestrates Drug Resistance to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. [Abstract]2019 Jul 9;28(2):512-525.e6. PMID: 31291585 -
Antioxidants (Basel)
Auranofin Synergizes with the PARP Inhibitor Olaparib to Induce ROS-Mediated Cell Death in Mutant p53 Cancers. [Abstract]2023 Mar 8;12(3):667. PMID: 36978917 -
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf
Low-dose arsenite causes overexpression of EGF, TGFα, and HSP90 through Trx1-TXNIP-NLRP3 axis mediated signaling pathways in the human bladder epithelial cells. [Abstract]2022 Dec 1:247:114263. PMID: 36343453 -
Eur J Med Chem
Discovery of novel hydroxyamidine based indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) dual inhibitors. [Abstract]2023 Jan 5;245(Pt 1):114860. PMID: 36370550 -
Int J Mol Sci
Lactate Uptake by MCT4 Facilitates Stability and Suppressive Function of Tumor-Infiltrating Regulatory T Cells by Promoting Foxp3 Lactylation. [Abstract]2026 May 21;27(10):4619. PMID: 42196594 -
PLoS Pathog
Structural basis for substrate recognition and inhibition of thioredoxin glutathione reductase from Schistosoma japonicum: Implications for antiparasitic development. [Abstract]2026 Apr 24;22(4):e1014125. PMID: 42030356 -
Int J Mol Sci
Selenium-Thioredoxin Axis Contributes to Ferroptosis Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. [Abstract]2026 Feb 23;27(4):2062. PMID: 41752199 -
Molecules
2023 May 27;28(11):4380. PMID: 37298855 -
Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins
2026 Mar 17. PMID: 41843357 -
Cancers
Synergy between Auranofin and Celecoxib against Colon Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo through a Novel Redox-Mediated Mechanism. [Abstract]2019 Jul 3;11(7):931. PMID: 31277230 -
Antiviral Res
Repurposing screen using a robust human rhinovirus infectious clone identifies pyrvinium pamoate with antiviral activity. [Abstract]2026 Jun:250:106417. PMID: 42025967 -
Sci Rep
2026 Mar 20;16(1):14300. PMID: 41862552 -
Neurochem Res
Schisanhenol Inhibits MPTP/MPP+-Induced Ferroptosis in Dopaminergic Neurons Via Nrf2/TrxR1/GPX4 Pathway against Parkinson's Disease. [Abstract]2025 Dec 29;51(1):26. PMID: 41460594 -
PLoS Negl Trop Dis
Identification of anti-flaviviral drugs with mosquitocidal and anti-Zika virus activity in Aedes aegypti. [Abstract]2019 Aug 20;13(8):e0007681. PMID: 31430351 -
Front Oncol
PCK1 Downregulation Promotes TXNRD1 Expression and Hepatoma Cell Growth via the Nrf2/Keap1 Pathway. [Abstract]2018 Dec 17:8:611. PMID: 30619751
Auranofin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Front Oncol. 2018 Dec 17:8:611. [Abstract]
Protein expression of Caspase3/9, Cleaved caspase3/9, Bax, Bcl2, TXNRD1, and PCK1. PCK1-KO hepatoma cells are treated with Auranofin, Sorafenib or Auranofin+Sorafenib as and the proteins are isolated and analyzed by western blotting.
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Invest New Drugs
A high-throughput drug screen identifies auranofin as a potential sensitizer of cisplatin in small cell lung cancer. [Abstract]2019 Dec;37(6):1166-1176. PMID: 30825105 -
Vet Comp Oncol
Auranofin Suppresses the Growth of Canine Mammary Tumour Cells and Induces Apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT Pathway. [Abstract]2024 Dec;22(4):555-565. PMID: 39221701 -
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bioRxiv
2024 Oct 13:2024.10.10.617667. PMID: 39416022 -
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Solvent & Solubility
DMSO : 50 mg/mL (73.69 mM; Need ultrasonic; Hygroscopic DMSO has a significant impact on the solubility of product, please use newly opened DMSO)
Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (sealed storage, away from moisture). When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.
Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (sealed storage, away from moisture). When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.
Concentration (start) × Volume (start) = Concentration (final) × Volume (final)
Select the appropriate dissolution method based on your experimental animal and administration route.
- For the following dissolution methods, please ensure to first prepare a clear stock solution using an In Vitro approach and then sequentially add co-solvents:
- To ensure reliable experimental results, the clarified stock solution can be appropriately stored based on storage conditions. As for the working solution for In Vivo experiments, it is recommended to prepare freshly and use it on the same day.
- The percentages shown for the solvents indicate their volumetric ratio in the final prepared solution. If precipitation or phase separation occurs during preparation, heat and/or sonication can be used to aid dissolution.
Add each solvent one by one: 10% DMSO 40% PEG300 5% Tween-80 45% Saline
Solubility: ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (3.68 mM); Clear solution
This protocol yields a clear solution of ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (saturation unknown).
Taking 1 mL working solution as an example, add 100 μL DMSO stock solution (25.0 mg/mL) to 400 μL PEG300, and mix evenly; then add 50 μL Tween-80 and mix evenly; then add 450 μL Saline to adjust the volume to 1 mL.
Preparation of Saline: Dissolve 0.9 g sodium chloride in ddH₂O and dilute to 100 mL to obtain a clear Saline solution.
Add each solvent one by one: 10% DMSO 90% (20% SBE-β-CD in Saline)
Solubility: 2.08 mg/mL (3.07 mM); Suspended solution; Need ultrasonic and warming
This protocol yields a suspended solution of 2.08 mg/mL. Suspended solution can be used for oral and intraperitoneal injection.
Taking 1 mL working solution as an example, add 100 μL DMSO stock solution (20.8 mg/mL) to 900 μL 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline, and mix evenly.
Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C, storage for one week): 2 g SBE-β-CD powder is dissolved in 10 mL Saline, completely dissolve until clear.
Please enter the basic information of animal experiments:
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Recommended: Prepare an additional quantity of animals to account for potential losses during experiments.
Please enter your animal formula composition:
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%DMSO +
Recommended: Keep the proportion of DMSO in working solution below 2% if your animal is weak.
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%+
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+%Tween-80 + +
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%Saline +
The co-solvents required include: DMSO, . All of co-solvents are available by MedChemExpress (MCE). , Tween 80. All of co-solvents are available by MedChemExpress (MCE).
Working solution concentration: 0.22 mg/mL
Method for preparing stock solution: mg drug dissolved in μL DMSO. Stock solution concentration: mg/mL. * In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (sealed storage, away from moisture)
1. Take μL DMSO stock solution;
2. Add μL .
μL , mix evenly;
3. Then add μL Tween 80, mix evenly;
4. Then add μL
Please ensure that the stock solution in the first step is dissolved to a clear state, and add co-solvents in sequence. You can use ultrasonic heating (ultrasonic cleaner, recommended frequency 20-40 kHz), vortexing, etc. to assist dissolution.
Protocol
Auranofin is dissolved in DMSO. Cells are treated with auranofin (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 nM) for 72 h for the dose-dependent response assay and 100 nM of auranofin is added into the wells for 0, 24, 72 and 120 h for the time-dependent response assay. Control cultures are treated with DMSO. Cell viability is measured by the MTT assay[2].
MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.
Rats: Prophylactically, auranofin (6.7 to 15 mg of gold/kg), indomethacin (2 mg/kg) or tragacanth vehicle control were administered orally at daily intervals beginning on the day of adjuvant injection. On days 16 to 17 peritoneal exudate cells or spleen cells from normal or adjuvant-injected rats were isolated and tested[4].
MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.
Purity & Documentation
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Data Sheet (285 KB)
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SDS (805 KB)
- English - EN (805 KB)
- Français - FR (805 KB)
- Deutsch - DE (805 KB)
- Norwegian - NO (805 KB)
- Español - ES (805 KB)
- Swedish - SV (805 KB)
- Italian - IT (805 KB)
- Korean - KR (805 KB)
- Portuguese - PT (805 KB)
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Handling Instructions (2659 KB)
References
[1]. Cox AG, et al. The thioredoxin reductase inhibitor auranofin triggers apoptosis through a Bax/Bak-dependent process that involves peroxiredoxin 3 oxidation. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Oct 30;76(9):1097-109. [Content Brief]
[2]. Park SH, et al. Auranofin displays anticancer activity against ovarian cancer cells through FOXO3 activation independent of p53. Int J Oncol. 2014 Oct;45(4):1691-8. [Content Brief]
[3]. Park N, et al. Auranofin promotes mitochondrial apoptosis by inducing annexin A5 expression and translocation in human prostate cancer cells. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2014;77(22-24):1467-76. [Content Brief]
[4]. Lee JC, et al. Effect of auranofin treatment on aberrant splenic interleukin production in adjuvant arthritic rats. J Immunol. 1987 Nov 15;139(10):3268-74. [Content Brief]
[5]. Shuofeng Yuan, et al. Metallodrug ranitidine bismuth citrate suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication and relieves virus-associated pneumonia in Syrian hamsters. Nat Microbiol. 2020 Oct 7. [Content Brief]
Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table
Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (sealed storage, away from moisture). When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.
| Optional Solvent | Concentration Solvent Mass | 1 mg | 5 mg | 10 mg | 25 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMSO | 1 mM | 1.4739 mL | 7.3694 mL | 14.7388 mL | 36.8471 mL |
| 5 mM | 0.2948 mL | 1.4739 mL | 2.9478 mL | 7.3694 mL | |
| 10 mM | 0.1474 mL | 0.7369 mL | 1.4739 mL | 3.6847 mL | |
| 15 mM | 0.0983 mL | 0.4913 mL | 0.9826 mL | 2.4565 mL | |
| 20 mM | 0.0737 mL | 0.3685 mL | 0.7369 mL | 1.8424 mL | |
| 25 mM | 0.0590 mL | 0.2948 mL | 0.5896 mL | 1.4739 mL | |
| 30 mM | 0.0491 mL | 0.2456 mL | 0.4913 mL | 1.2282 mL | |
| 40 mM | 0.0368 mL | 0.1842 mL | 0.3685 mL | 0.9212 mL | |
| 50 mM | 0.0295 mL | 0.1474 mL | 0.2948 mL | 0.7369 mL | |
| 60 mM | 0.0246 mL | 0.1228 mL | 0.2456 mL | 0.6141 mL |