Carnosol
Based on 17 publication(s) in Google Scholar
Carnosol is a potent Ribosomal S6 Kinase (RSK2) inhibitor that could be useful for treating gastric cancer, with an IC50 of ~5.5 μM. Carnosol, a Nrf2 activator, increases the nuclear levels of Nrf2 and can promote the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1).
For research use only. We do not sell to patients.
- Purity: 98.79%
- CAS No.: 5957-80-2
- Formula: C20H26O4
- Molecular Weight:330.42
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Storage:Powder -20°C, 3 years
* The compound is unstable in solutions, freshly prepared is recommended.
Publications Citing Use of MedChemExpress (MCE) Carnosol
More- Adv Sci (Weinh). 2026 Jun 11:e76080. [Abstract]
- Int J Surg. 2025 Jul 9. [Abstract]
- Cell Death Dis. 2022 Jul 28;13(7):653. [Abstract]
- Biomed Pharmacother. 2025 Sep:190:118397. [Abstract]
- PLoS Biol. 2024 Jun 27;22(6):e3002672. [Abstract]
- Phytother Res. 2023 Apr;37(4):1405-1421. [Abstract]
- J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2024 Jun 15;25(6):513-528. [Abstract]
- Int Immunopharmacol. 2021 Mar:92:107352. [Abstract]
- J Supercrit Fluids. 2024 Oct.
- Front Cell Dev Biol. 2026 Feb 12:14:1777760. [Abstract]
- Drug Dev Res. 2022 Sep;83(6):1342-1350. [Abstract]
- Sci Rep. 2024 May 28;14(1):12266. [Abstract]
- Arch Pharm (Weinheim). 2022 May;355(5):e2100467. [Abstract]
- Hum Mol Genet. 2022 Oct 10;31(20):3521-3538. [Abstract]
- Processes (Basel). 2025 Feb 25.
- Biomed Res Int. 2023 Jun 28:2023:1179973. [Abstract]
- bioRxiv. 2024 Apr 3:2023.06.02.542933. [Abstract]
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In Vivo Efficacy Study
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In Vivo Efficacy Study
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In Vivo Efficacy Study
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WB
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Cell Imaging/Staining
All Endogenous Metabolite Isoforms
More
Biological Activity
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RSK2 ~5.5 μM (IC50) |
Nrf2 |
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Cell Line
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Type | Value | Description | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2780 | GI50 |
3.6 μM
Compound: 2
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Cytotoxicity against human A2780 cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
Cytotoxicity against human A2780 cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
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[PMID: 17190465] |
| A549 | IC50 |
>60 μM
Compound: 1
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Cytotoxicity against human A549 cells at lag phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
Cytotoxicity against human A549 cells at lag phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
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[PMID: 19711987] |
| A549 | IC50 |
47 μM
Compound: 1
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Cytotoxicity against human A549 cells at exponential phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
Cytotoxicity against human A549 cells at exponential phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
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[PMID: 19711987] |
| A549 | IC50 |
5 μM
Compound: 7
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Inhibition of microsomal PGES1 in ILbeta-stimulated human A549 cells using PGH2 as substrate preincubated for 15 mins followed by substrate addition measured after 1 min by RP-HPLC analysis
Inhibition of microsomal PGES1 in ILbeta-stimulated human A549 cells using PGH2 as substrate preincubated for 15 mins followed by substrate addition measured after 1 min by RP-HPLC analysis
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10.1039/C5MD00278H |
| HBL-100 | GI50 |
3.9 μM
Compound: 2
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Cytotoxicity against human HBL100 cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
Cytotoxicity against human HBL100 cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
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[PMID: 17190465] |
| HeLa | IC50 |
>60 μM
Compound: 1
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Cytotoxicity against human HeLa cells at exponential phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
Cytotoxicity against human HeLa cells at exponential phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
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[PMID: 19711987] |
| HeLa | IC50 |
43.9 μM
Compound: 1
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Cytotoxicity against human HeLa cells at lag phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
Cytotoxicity against human HeLa cells at lag phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
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[PMID: 19711987] |
| MCF7 | IC50 |
40.9 μM
Compound: 1
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Cytotoxicity against human MCF7 cells at lag phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
Cytotoxicity against human MCF7 cells at lag phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
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[PMID: 19711987] |
| MCF7 | IC50 |
44.5 μM
Compound: 1
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Cytotoxicity against human sMCF7 cells at exponential phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
Cytotoxicity against human sMCF7 cells at exponential phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
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[PMID: 19711987] |
| SW1573 | GI50 |
10 μM
Compound: 2
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Cytotoxicity against human SW1573 cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
Cytotoxicity against human SW1573 cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
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[PMID: 17190465] |
| T47D | GI50 |
24 μM
Compound: 2
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Cytotoxicity against human T47D cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
Cytotoxicity against human T47D cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
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[PMID: 17190465] |
| Vero | IC50 |
>60 μM
Compound: 1
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Cytotoxicity against african green monkey Vero cells at lag phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
Cytotoxicity against african green monkey Vero cells at lag phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
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[PMID: 19711987] |
| Vero | IC50 |
51.5 μM
Compound: 1
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Cytotoxicity against african green monkey Vero cells at exponential phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
Cytotoxicity against african green monkey Vero cells at exponential phase of growth after 48 hrs by MTT assay
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[PMID: 19711987] |
| WiDr | GI50 |
26 μM
Compound: 2
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Cytotoxicity against human WiDr cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
Cytotoxicity against human WiDr cells after 48 hrs by SRB assay
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[PMID: 17190465] |
It is showed that carnosol has no cytotoxic effects on GES1 cells and 10 μM carnosol strongly suppresses RSK2 activity, but has little effect on any other kinase. Carnosol exerts strong dose-dependent inhibitory effects against RSK2 autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of its substrate ATF1[1].
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.
Chemical Information
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CAS No. 5957-80-2
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Appearance Solid
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Molecular Weight 330.42
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Formula C20H26O4
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Color White to off-white
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SMILES
O=C1O[C@]2([H])C3=C(C(O)=C(O)C(C(C)C)=C3)[C@@]41CCCC(C)(C)[C@]4([H])C2
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Structure Classification
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Initial Source
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Shipping
Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.
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Storage
Powder -20°C 3 years * The compound is unstable in solutions, freshly prepared is recommended.
Publications (17)
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Journal Impact Factor
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Most Recent
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Adv Sci (Weinh)
Multi-Targeting Carnosic Acid Kills Drug-Resistant Helicobacter pylori With Narrow-Spectrum Activity. [Abstract]2026 Jun 11:e76080. PMID: 42272345 -
Int J Surg
Distinct roles of HMOX1 on tumor epithelium and macrophage for regulation of immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer. [Abstract]2025 Jul 9. PMID: 40638251
Carnosol purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Int J Surg. 2025 Jul 9. [Abstract]
Carnosol (200 mg/kg i.p. injection every 3 days). Combined application of CytoTRACE to dissect HMOX1_malignant+ and HMOX1_malignant− cells. (E) Tumor growth in ID8 tumor-bearing mice treated with saline, IgG, αPD-1, carnosol or αPD-1 + carnosol (n = 8 mice/group). Tumor growth was monitored by measuring the tumor volume for 2 weeks.
Carnosol purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Int J Surg. 2025 Jul 9. [Abstract]
Carnosol (200 mg/kg i.p. injection every 3 days). Tumor growth in mice bearing ID8, Mice were given saline, IgG, αPD-1, carnosol, IMD0354, carnosol + αPD-1, IMD0354 + αPD-1 or carnosol + IMD0354 + αPD-1. N = 8 mice/group. Tumor growth was monitored by measuring the tumor volume for 2 weeks.
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Cell Death Dis
The interaction between STING and NCOA4 exacerbates lethal sepsis by orchestrating ferroptosis and inflammatory responses in macrophages. [Abstract]2022 Jul 28;13(7):653. PMID: 35902564
Carnosol purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Cell Death Dis. 2022 Jul 28;13(7):653. [Abstract]
Survival analysis of the indicated mice in CLP-induced sepsis with or without treatment of 10 mg/kg HET0016, 20 mg/kg JSH-23, or 10 mg/kg Carnosol at 2 h before CLP and 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after CLP (n = 15 per group).
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Biomed Pharmacother
Advances in identifying functional groups in carnosol analogues to address their efficacy in skeletal muscle function. [Abstract]2025 Sep:190:118397. PMID: 40753935
Carnosol purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Biomed Pharmacother. 2025 Sep:190:118397. [Abstract]
Minced gastrocnemius muscles from six-month-old C57BL/6 male mice were mixed with ethanol (0.01 %; solvent; CTRL), BHT (positive control), carnosol (CO), rosmanol (ROS), isoromanol (ISOR), dimethylcarnosol (DCO) or dimethylisorosmanol (DISOR), all dissolved in ethanol and mixed at 0.01 % w/w minced muscle. At day 0 and day 7 of refrigerated storage (+4 °C), lipid oxidation was evaluated by TBARS quantification.
Carnosol purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Biomed Pharmacother. 2025 Sep:190:118397. [Abstract]
Carnosol (CO, 48 h at 10 μM). Human myotubes treated for 36 h with 10 μM of carnosol analogues or DMSO (Solvent; CTRL) prior to incubation with sub-lethal concentration of 100 μM H2O2 for one hour. Western blot analysis of phosphorylated γH2AX protein level.
Carnosol purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Biomed Pharmacother. 2025 Sep:190:118397. [Abstract]
Carnosol (CO, 48 h at 10 μM). Differentiated myoblasts were treated or not (CTRL; 0.1 % DMSO) with CO, ROS, ISOR, DCO and DISOR, at a concentration of 10 μM. Two days later, myotubes were processed for indirect immunofluorescence analysis with an antibody against troponin T (green). Nuclei were visualized by DAPI staining (blue). Representative images.
Carnosol purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Biomed Pharmacother. 2025 Sep:190:118397. [Abstract]
Carnosol (CO, 48 h at 10 μM). In parallel, myotube protein extracts were analyzed by western blotting with anti-Muscle Ring-Finger Protein-1 (MuRF1; TRIM 63) antibody (green). Revert® total protein stain was used as internal loading control (red).
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PLoS Biol
2024 Jun 27;22(6):e3002672. PMID: 38935621 -
Phytother Res
Carnosol inhibits KGN cells oxidative stress and apoptosis and attenuates polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes in mice through Keap1-mediated Nrf2/HO-1 activation. [Abstract]2023 Apr;37(4):1405-1421. PMID: 36786429 -
J Zhejiang Univ Sci B
2024 Jun 15;25(6):513-528. PMID: 38910496 -
Int Immunopharmacol
Psoralidin, a major component of Psoraleae Fructus, induces inflammasome activation and idiosyncratic liver injury. [Abstract]2021 Mar:92:107352. PMID: 33422760 -
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Front Cell Dev Biol
Enhancing antioxidant capacity via NRF2 pathway activation to mitigate heat stress-induced oxidative damage in bovine granulosa cells, oocytes, and embryos. [Abstract]2026 Feb 12:14:1777760. PMID: 41769002 -
Drug Dev Res
Carnosol alleviates sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction by mediating NF-κB pathway in aged rats. [Abstract]2022 Sep;83(6):1342-1350. PMID: 35781309 -
Sci Rep
2024 May 28;14(1):12266. PMID: 38806527 -
Arch Pharm (Weinheim)
Design, synthesis, and characterization of PROTACs targeting the androgen receptor in prostate and lung cancer models. [Abstract]2022 May;355(5):e2100467. PMID: 35128717 -
Hum Mol Genet
Carnosol, a diterpene present in rosemary, increases ELP1 levels in familial Dysautonomia (FD) patient-derived cells and healthy adults: a possible therapy for FD. [Abstract]2022 Oct 10;31(20):3521-3538. PMID: 35708500 -
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Biomed Res Int
Carnosol Alleviates Collagen-Induced Arthritis by Inhibiting Th17-Mediated Immunity and Favoring Suppressive Activity of Regulatory T Cells. [Abstract]2023 Jun 28:2023:1179973. PMID: 37415927 -
bioRxiv
An efficient behavioral screening platform classifies natural products and other chemical cues according to their chemosensory valence in C. elegans. [Abstract]2024 Apr 3:2023.06.02.542933. PMID: 37333363
Solvent & Solubility
DMSO : 50 mg/mL (151.32 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. The compound is unstable in solutions, freshly prepared is recommended.
Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. The compound is unstable in solutions, freshly prepared is recommended.
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: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (6.30 mM); Clear solution
This protocol yields a clear solution of ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (saturation unknown).
Taking 1 mL working solution as an example, add 100 μL DMSO stock solution (20.8 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 (6.30 mM); Clear solution
This protocol yields a clear solution of ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (saturation unknown).
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. * The compound is unstable in solutions, freshly prepared is recommended.
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
Purity & Documentation
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Data Sheet (280 KB)
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SDS (394 KB)
- English - EN (394 KB)
- Français - FR (394 KB)
- Deutsch - DE (394 KB)
- Norwegian - NO (394 KB)
- Español - ES (394 KB)
- Swedish - SV (394 KB)
- Italian - IT (394 KB)
- Korean - KR (394 KB)
- Portuguese - PT (394 KB)
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Handling Instructions (2659 KB)
References
[1]. Wang L, et al. Carnosol suppresses patient-derived gastric tumor growth by targeting RSK2. Oncotarget. 2018 Feb 6;9(76):34200-34212. [Content Brief]
[2]. Li X, et al. Carnosol as a Nrf2 Activator Improves Endothelial Barrier Function Through Antioxidative Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(4):880. Published 2019 Feb 18. [Content Brief]
[3]. Martin D, et al. Regulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway and the Nrf2 transcription factor in response to the antioxidant phytochemical carnosol. J Biol Chem. 2004;279(10):8919-8929. [Content Brief]
Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table
Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. The compound is unstable in solutions, freshly prepared is recommended.
| Optional Solvent | Concentration Solvent Mass | 1 mg | 5 mg | 10 mg | 25 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMSO | 1 mM | 3.0265 mL | 15.1323 mL | 30.2645 mL | 75.6613 mL |
| 5 mM | 0.6053 mL | 3.0265 mL | 6.0529 mL | 15.1323 mL | |
| 10 mM | 0.3026 mL | 1.5132 mL | 3.0265 mL | 7.5661 mL | |
| 15 mM | 0.2018 mL | 1.0088 mL | 2.0176 mL | 5.0441 mL | |
| 20 mM | 0.1513 mL | 0.7566 mL | 1.5132 mL | 3.7831 mL | |
| 25 mM | 0.1211 mL | 0.6053 mL | 1.2106 mL | 3.0265 mL | |
| 30 mM | 0.1009 mL | 0.5044 mL | 1.0088 mL | 2.5220 mL | |
| 40 mM | 0.0757 mL | 0.3783 mL | 0.7566 mL | 1.8915 mL | |
| 50 mM | 0.0605 mL | 0.3026 mL | 0.6053 mL | 1.5132 mL | |
| 60 mM | 0.0504 mL | 0.2522 mL | 0.5044 mL | 1.2610 mL | |
| 80 mM | 0.0378 mL | 0.1892 mL | 0.3783 mL | 0.9458 mL | |
| 100 mM | 0.0303 mL | 0.1513 mL | 0.3026 mL | 0.7566 mL |