Alizarin 

Alizarin is a natural dye. Alizarin can be extracted from the roots of madder plant. Alizarin activates AMPK and VEGFR2/eNOS pathway. Alizarin regulates PI3K/Akt and inhibits NF-κB pathway. Alizarin enhances CYP1A1 enzyme activity. Alizarin has protective effects on hypertension and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Alizarin has anti-tumor activity against multiple cancers including pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, osteosarcoma and liver cancer. Alizarin has been widely used as a pigment in textile fabrics and paintings^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}.

Alizarin (5-80 μM, 24-72 h) inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells by abrogating NF-κB activation^[1].
Alizarin (0.01-200 μM, 48 h) enhances CYP1A1 enzyme activity and induces transcriptional changes in hepatoma cells HepG2^[2].
Alizarin (5-50  µg/mL, 24-144 h) strongly inhibits the osteosarcoma (IC₅₀ for Saos-2, MG-63, and U-2OS cells, 27.5, 29.0, and 69.9 µg/ml, respectively) and breast carcinoma (IC₅₀ for MDA-MB-231 cells, 62.1 µg/mL) cell proliferation^[3].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

Alizarin (24-96 mg/kg, 10 days) increase glucose uptake through PI3K/Akt signaling and improve Alloxan (HY-W017227)-induced diabetic mice^[4].
Alizarin (100 mg/kg/d, p.o., 6 weeks) shows antihypertensive effect in SHR by activating VEGFR2/eNOS pathway, attenuating oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial damage and premature senescence^[5].
Alizarin (10 mg/kg, p.o., 4 weeks) shows protective effect on vascular endothelial dysfunction in rats via inhibiting the type 2 diabetes-induced synthesis of THBS1 and activating the AMPK signaling pathway^[6].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

240.21

C₁₄H₈O₄

72-48-0

Solid

Orange to reddish brown

O=C1C2=C(C=CC=C2)C(C3=CC=C(O)C(O)=C13)=O

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

* 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. When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

• [1]. Xu Z, et al. Alizarin, a nature compound, inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells by abrogating NF-κB activation. Int J Biol Sci. 2022 Mar 28;18(7):2759-2774.  [Content Brief]

  [2]. Liang S, et al. Alizarin, an Agonist of AHR Receptor, Enhances CYP1A1 Enzyme Activity and Induces Transcriptional Changes in Hepatoma Cells. Molecules. 2023 Oct 31;28(21):7373.  [Content Brief]

  [3]. Fotia C, et al. The natural compound Alizarin as an osteotropic drug for the treatment of bone tumors. J Orthop Res. 2012 Sep;30(9):1486-92.  [Content Brief]

  [4]. Xu L, et al. Alizarin increase glucose uptake through PI3K/Akt signaling and improve alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Future Med Chem. 2019 Mar;11(5):395-406.  [Content Brief]

  [5]. Qian YW, et al. The antihypertensive effect of Alizarin is achieved by activating VEGFR2/eNOS pathway, attenuating oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial damage and premature senescence. Life Sci. 2024 Aug 15;351:122862.  [Content Brief]

  [6]. Zhu ML, et al. Protective effect of alizarin on vascular endothelial dysfunction via inhibiting the type 2 diabetes-induced synthesis of THBS1 and activating the AMPK signaling pathway. Phytomedicine. 2024 Jun;128:155557.  [Content Brief]

  [7]. Jen M, et al. Ultrafast Intramolecular Proton Transfer of Alizarin Investigated by Femtosecond Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem B. 2017 Apr 27;121(16):4129-4136.  [Content Brief]