Cat. No.: HY-N6012

(-)-Alkannin

Name: (-)-Alkannin
Brand: MedChemExpress
SKU: HY-N6012
Price: 50.00 USD
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3 Cited Publications

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Based on 3 publication(s) in Google Scholar

(-)-Alkannin, found in Alkanna tinctoria, is used as a food coloring. (-)-Alkannin shows anticancer activity, arrests cell cycle, and induces apoptosis. (-)-Alkannin improves hepatic inflammation in a Rho-kinase pathway.

For research use only. We do not sell to patients.

Purity : 99.88%
CAS No.: 517-88-4
Formula: C₁₆H₁₆O₅
Molecular Weight:288.30

Storage:

Powder -20°C, 3 years , 4°C, 2 years ; In solvent -80°C, 6 months , -20°C, 1 month

(-)-Alkannin Chemical Structure

CAS No.: 517-88-4

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Strong Fluorescence Signal / Multi-Disciplinary Applications / High Fluorescence Specificity

Publications Citing Use of MedChemExpress (MCE) (-)-Alkannin

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Cell Proliferation/Viability AssayCell Imaging/StainingWBCell Migration/Invasion AssayIFApoptosis AnalysisHistological Imaging/StainingIn Vivo Efficacy Study

Cell Proliferation/Viability Assay
Cell Imaging/Staining
WB
Cell Migration/Invasion Assay
Cell Migration/Invasion Assay
IF
Apoptosis Analysis
Histological Imaging/Staining
In Vivo Efficacy Study

Biological Activity
- Description
- Cellular Effect
- In Vitro
Chemical Information
Publications (3)
Solvent & Solubility
- In Vitro
Protocols (8)
Purity & Documentation
References
Help & FAQs
Classifications
Bioz

Biological Activity

Description

Cellular Effect

Cell Line	Type	Value	Description	References
AU565	IC₅₀	0.9 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human AU565 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human AU565 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
DU-145	IC₅₀	19.9 μM Compound: AK	Cytotoxicity against human DU145 cells by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human DU145 cells by MTT assay	[PMID: 25127868]
DU-145	IC₅₀	19.9 μM Compound: Alkannin	Anticancer activity against human DU-145 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Anticancer activity against human DU-145 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 35367708]
DU-145	IC₅₀	5.02 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human DU145 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human DU145 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
Fibroblast	IC₅₀	1.5 μM Compound: AK	Cytotoxicity against human skin fibroblast cells by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human skin fibroblast cells by MTT assay	[PMID: 25127868]
Fibroblast	IC₅₀	1.5 μM Compound: Alkannin	Cytotoxicity against human skin fibroblast cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human skin fibroblast cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 35367708]
Fibroblast	IC₅₀	1.8 μM Compound: Alkannin	Cytotoxicity against human skin fibroblast cells incubated for 24 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human skin fibroblast cells incubated for 24 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 35367708]
HCT-15	IC₅₀	1.11 μM Compound: Alkannin	Anticancer activity against human HCT-15 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability for 72 hrs by MTT assay Anticancer activity against human HCT-15 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 35367708]
HeLa	IC₅₀	0.91 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human HeLa cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human HeLa cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
Hep 3B2	IC₅₀	3.84 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human Hep3B cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human Hep3B cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
HepG2	IC₅₀	3.8 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human HepG2 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human HepG2 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
HT-29	IC₅₀	4.03 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human HT-29 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human HT-29 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
K562	IC₅₀	1.3 μM Compound: AK	Cytotoxicity against human K562 cells by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human K562 cells by MTT assay	[PMID: 25127868]
K562	IC₅₀	1.3 μM Compound: Alkannin	Anticancer activity against human K562 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Anticancer activity against human K562 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 35367708]
K562	IC₅₀	1.5 μM Compound: Alkannin	Anticancer activity against human K562 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability for 72 hrs by MTT assay Anticancer activity against human K562 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 35367708]
LNCaP	IC₅₀	10.74 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human LNCAP cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human LNCAP cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
MCF7	IC₅₀	2.4 μM Compound: AK	Cytotoxicity against human MCF7 cells by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human MCF7 cells by MTT assay	[PMID: 25127868]
MCF7	IC₅₀	2.4 μM Compound: Alkannin	Anticancer activity against human MCF7 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Anticancer activity against human MCF7 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 35367708]
MCF7	IC₅₀	2.62 μM Compound: Alkannin	Anticancer activity against human MCF7 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability for 72 hrs by MTT assay Anticancer activity against human MCF7 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 35367708]
MCF7	IC₅₀	3.06 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human MCF7 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human MCF7 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
MDA-MB-231	IC₅₀	4.27 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human MDA-MB-231 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human MDA-MB-231 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
NIH3T3	IC₅₀	5.21 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against mouse 3T3 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against mouse 3T3 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
PC-3	IC₅₀	3.25 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human PC3 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human PC3 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
SAOS-2	IC₅₀	2.31 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human Saos2 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human Saos2 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
SK-BR-3	IC₅₀	0.78 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against human SKBR3 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human SKBR3 cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]
Vero	IC₅₀	0.7 μM Compound: 4	Cytotoxicity against african green monkey Vero cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against african green monkey Vero cells after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 20405844]

In Vitro

(-)-Alkannin inhibits HCT-116 and SW-480 cells growth with IC₅₀s of 2.38 and 4.53 μM, respectively^[1].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only. Further protocols information, click here.

Chemical Information

CAS No. 517-88-4
Appearance Solid
Molecular Weight 288.30
Formula C₁₆H₁₆O₅
Color Brown to red
SMILES

OC1=C2C(C(C=C([C@H](C/C=C(C)/C)O)C2=O)=O)=C(O)C=C1
Structure Classification
- Alkaloids
- Other Alkaloids
Initial Source
Shipping

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

Storage

Powder	-20°C	3 years
	4°C	2 years
In solvent	-80°C	6 months
	-20°C	1 month

Publications (3)

All Cell Proliferation/Viability AssayCell Imaging/StainingWBCell Migration/Invasion AssayIFApoptosis AnalysisHistological Imaging/StainingIn Vivo Efficacy Study

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Journal Impact Factor

Phytomedicine

Alkannin triggered apoptosis and ferroptosis in gastric cancer by suppressing lipid metabolism mediated by the c-Fos/SREBF1 axis. [Abstract]

2025 May:140:156604. PMID: 40049103
Drug Des Devel Ther

Alkannin Induces G2/M-Phase Arrest, Apoptosis, and Inhibition of Invasion by Targeting GSK3β in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. [Abstract]

2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. PMID: 39618426

(-)-Alkannin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. [Abstract]

Cell viability of KYSE150 and Eca109 cells treated with different concentrations of Alkannin (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 μM) for 24, 48, and 72 h.

(-)-Alkannin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. [Abstract]

Colony formation assay of KYSE150 and Eca109 cells after treatment with Alkannin (0, 2, 4, 6 μM) for 24 h.

(-)-Alkannin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. [Abstract]

Western blot detects the PCNA protein levels of KYSE150 and Eca109 cells after treatment with Alkannin (0, 2, 4, 6 μM) for 24 h.

(-)-Alkannin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. [Abstract]

Wound healing assay shows the mobility of KYSE150 and Eca109 cells after treatment with Alkannin (0, 2, 4, 6 μM).

(-)-Alkannin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. [Abstract]

Transwell assay detects the invasion ability of KYSE150 and Eca109 cells after treatment with Alkannin (0, 2, 4, 6 μM).

(-)-Alkannin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. [Abstract]

Hoechst 33342 staining shows the extent of nuclear morphology of KYSE150 and Eca109 cells after treatment with different concentrations of Alkannin (0, 2, 4, 6 μM) for 24 h.

(-)-Alkannin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. [Abstract]

Annexin V-FITC/PI assay is used to evaluate the apoptotic ratio of KYSE150 and Eca109 cells after treatment with Alkannin (0, 2, 4, 6 μM) for 24 h.

(-)-Alkannin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. [Abstract]

HE staining and immunohistochemistry analyzes the Ki67 and p-GSK3β protein expression treated with Alkannin (2, 4 mg/kg, i.p.).

(-)-Alkannin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Nov 25:18:5377-5395. [Abstract]

Representative images of tumors treated with Alkannin (2, 4 mg/kg, i.p.).
PLoS Comput Biol

2026 Jul 10;22(7):e1014464. PMID: 42430439

Solvent & Solubility

In Vitro:

DMSO : 33.33 mg/mL (115.61 mM; Need ultrasonic; Hygroscopic DMSO has a significant impact on the solubility of product, please use newly opened DMSO)

View the Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table

Preparing Stock Solutions

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Concentration Solvent Mass

1 mg

5 mg

10 mg

Concentration

Solvent

Mass

1 mM

3.4686 mL

17.3430 mL

34.6861 mL

5 mM

0.6937 mL

3.4686 mL

6.9372 mL

10 mM

0.3469 mL

1.7343 mL

3.4686 mL

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.

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Protocols

All Cell Biology Signal Pathway Related

Apoptosis
Apoptosis, also called programmed cell death, is generally characterized by distinct morphological characteristics.
TUNEL staining for apoptotic DNA fragmentation
TUNEL staining detects DNA strand breaks by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase to add labeled nucleotides to exposed 3′-OH DNA termini, generating either microscopic staining in fixed cells or tissue sections, or fluorescence/cytometric signal in cell suspensions. TUNEL positivity reflects DNA fragmentation but should not be interpreted alone as definitive apoptosis, because TUNEL can also label necrotic, autolytic, mechanically damaged, or DNA-repair-associated DNA breaks.
Flow cytometric DNA-content cell-cycle staining
Flow cytometric DNA-content cell-cycle staining measures the fluorescence intensity of DNA-bound fluorochromes in single cells or nuclei to estimate DNA content distributions, allowing assignment of populations to G0/G1, S, and G2/M phases by DNA histogram deconvolution. Propidium iodide (PI) intercalates into DNA, and PI fluorescence is proportional to cellular DNA content when staining is performed under conditions that make DNA accessible and minimize non-DNA signal. Cells with G2/M DNA content are expected to show approximately twice the fluorescence intensity of G0/G1 cells, while S-phase cells occupy intermediate fluorescence values. PI-based DNA-content analysis can also detect cells with fractional DNA content, often reported as sub-G1, when DNA fragmentation and extraction during staining reduce retained DNA signal in apoptotic cells. DAPI is an alternative DNA fluorochrome for univariate DNA-content analysis, while bivariate approaches combining DNA content with proliferation
Annexin V plus membrane-impermeant dye apoptosis staining
Annexin V-based apoptosis assays rely on the detection of phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization from the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane to the outer leaflet, an early biochemical hallmark of apoptosis. Fluorescently labeled Annexin V binds PS in a calcium-dependent manner, enabling identification of early apoptotic cells by flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy. When combined with a membrane-impermeant DNA-binding dye (e. g. , propidium iodide), this approach allows discrimination between viable (Annexin V−/dye−), early apoptotic (Annexin V+/dye−), and late apoptotic or necrotic (Annexin V+/dye+) cell populations by assessing membrane integrity and PS exposure.
BrdU Incorporation Assay
Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay is based on the principle that BrdU, a thymidine analog, is incorporated into newly synthesized DNA during the S phase of the cell cycle, thereby serving as a marker of DNA replication and cellular proliferation. Incorporated BrdU can be detected using anti-BrdU antibodies following DNA denaturation, enabling visualization or quantification of proliferating cells through immunochemical detection methods such as immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry.
Apoptosis Solutions
Apoptosis is a regulated, generally non-lytic cell-death pathway that removes unwanted, damaged, infected, or abnormal cells through coordinated morphological changes, caspase activation, DNA fragmentation, and membrane remodeling. The intrinsic apoptosis pathway is controlled mainly by mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, BCL-2 family proteins, cytochrome c release, apoptosome formation, caspase-9 activation, and downstream executioner caspase-3/7 activation. The extrinsic apoptosis pathway is initiated by death receptors such as Fas, TNFR, and TRAIL receptors, which recruit adaptor proteins and activate caspase-8 before engaging executioner caspases or mitochondrial amplification through BID cleavage. Apoptosis is linked to many phenotypes, including cancer cell killing, tissue homeostasis, immune regulation, neurodegeneration, infection response, and treatment-induced cytotoxicity; unresolved questions include how apoptosis interacts with necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptos
Protocol for Cell Cycle
Cell-cycle analysis by flow cytometry measures DNA content in single cells to estimate the fraction of cells in G0/G1, S, and G2/M phases. Propidium iodide intercalates into DNA, and after RNA removal with RNase, fluorescence intensity reflects cellular DNA content: 2N cells are assigned to G0/G1, cells between 2N and 4N to S phase, and 4N cells to G2/M. DNA-content analysis alone cannot reliably separate G0 from G1 or G2 from M. Ki-67 can distinguish quiescent G0 cells from cycling cells, EdU or BrdU incorporation marks active DNA synthesis in S phase, and phospho-histone H3 staining identifies mitotic cells within the 4N population.
Research Protocol for Inflammation-related Diseases
The NLRP3 inflammasome is a cytosolic innate immune signaling platform that integrates priming signals and danger-signal activation to promote caspase-1 activation, maturation of IL-1β and IL-18, and gasdermin D-mediated pyroptotic cell death. The core experimental logic is to determine whether inflammatory disease phenotypes are driven by increased NLRP3 expression, ASC-containing inflammasome assembly, caspase-1 cleavage, GSDMD cleavage, and extracellular release of IL-1β/IL-18 rather than by nonspecific cell injury alone. The pathway is strongly linked to inflammation-related disease phenotypes because monosodium urate crystals activate NALP3/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in gout-like crystal inflammation, cholesterol crystals activate NLRP3 inflammasomes in atherogenesis models, and DSS-induced intestinal inflammation has been reported to involve NLRP3 inflammasome activity. However, experimental colitis studies also show context-dependent protective effects of NLRP3 inflammasome co

Purity & Documentation

Select Batch:

Purity: 99.98%

Assay: 99.98%

ee.: 99.98%

Data Sheet (276 KB)
SDS (396 KB)
- English - EN (396 KB)
- Français - FR (396 KB)
- Deutsch - DE (396 KB)
- Norwegian - NO (396 KB)
- Español - ES (396 KB)
- Swedish - SV (396 KB)
- Italian - IT (396 KB)
- Korean - KR (396 KB)
- Portuguese - PT (396 KB)
COA (2659 KB)
Elemental Analysis Report (2659 KB)
HNMR (2659 KB)
CNMR (2659 KB)
RP-HPLC (2659 KB)
NP-HPLC (2659 KB)
MS (2659 KB)
LCMS (2659 KB)
IR (2659 KB)
GC (2659 KB)
OR (2659 KB)
SDS-PAGE (2659 KB)
SEC-HPLC (2659 KB)
Other Report (2659 KB)
Handling Instructions (2659 KB)

References

[1]. Hosokawa Y, et al. Alkannin inhibits CCL3 and CCL5 production in human periodontal ligament cells. Cell Biol Int. 2016 Dec;40(12):1380-1385. [Content Brief]

[2]. Huu Tung N, et al. Naphthoquinone components from Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch show significant antiproliferative effects on human colorectal cancer cells. Phytother Res. 2013 Jan;27(1):66-70. [Content Brief]

[3]. Xue W, et al. Alkannin Inhibited Hepatic Inflammation in Diabetic Db/Db Mice. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2018;45(6):2461-2470. [Content Brief]

Help & FAQs

How should lyophilized recombinant proteins be reconstituted and stored?

1. Before opening the cap, centrifuge the vial at 13000 rpm for 20-30 seconds. This step will ensure that any lyophilized powder that may have adhered to the cap or walls is collected at the bottom of the vial, minimizing the risk of product loss.

Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table

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.

Optional Solvent	Concentration Solvent Mass	1 mg	5 mg	10 mg	25 mg
DMSO	1 mM	3.4686 mL	17.3430 mL	34.6861 mL	86.7152 mL
	5 mM	0.6937 mL	3.4686 mL	6.9372 mL	17.3430 mL
	10 mM	0.3469 mL	1.7343 mL	3.4686 mL	8.6715 mL
	15 mM	0.2312 mL	1.1562 mL	2.3124 mL	5.7810 mL
	20 mM	0.1734 mL	0.8672 mL	1.7343 mL	4.3358 mL
	25 mM	0.1387 mL	0.6937 mL	1.3874 mL	3.4686 mL
	30 mM	0.1156 mL	0.5781 mL	1.1562 mL	2.8905 mL
	40 mM	0.0867 mL	0.4336 mL	0.8672 mL	2.1679 mL
	50 mM	0.0694 mL	0.3469 mL	0.6937 mL	1.7343 mL
	60 mM	0.0578 mL	0.2891 mL	0.5781 mL	1.4453 mL
	80 mM	0.0434 mL	0.2168 mL	0.4336 mL	1.0839 mL
	100 mM	0.0347 mL	0.1734 mL	0.3469 mL	0.8672 mL

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(-)-Alkannin

Publications Citing Use of MedChemExpress (MCE) (-)-Alkannin