Cat. No.: HY-17473

Embelin

Name: Embelin
Brand: MedChemExpress
SKU: HY-17473
Price: 42.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (7 reviews)

(Synonyms: Embelic acid; Emberine; NSC 91874)

7 Cited Publications

Customer Review

Based on 7 publication(s) in Google Scholar

Embelin (Embelic acid), a potent, nonpeptidic XIAP inhibitor (IC₅₀=4.1 μM), inhibits cell growth, induces apoptosis, and activates caspase-9 in prostate cancer cells with high levels of XIAP. Embelin blocks NF-kappaB signaling pathway leading to suppression of NF-kappaB-regulated antiapoptotic and metastatic gene products. Embelin also induces autophagic and apoptotic cell death in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

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

Purity : 99.01%
CAS No.: 550-24-3
Formula: C₁₇H₂₆O₄
Molecular Weight:294.39

Storage:

4°C, protect from light

* In solvent : -80°C, 2 years; -20°C, 1 year (protect from light)

Embelin Chemical Structure

CAS No.: 550-24-3

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Top Publications Citing

Use of MCE Products

Fluorescent Dye

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

Biological Activity
- Description
- IC₅₀ & Target
- Cellular Effect
- In Vitro
Chemical Information
Publications (7)
Solvent & Solubility
- In Vitro
- In Vivo
Protocols (13)
Purity & Documentation
References
Help & FAQs
Classifications
Bioz

Biological Activity

Description

IC₅₀ & Target

^[1]

XIAP

4.1 μM (IC₅₀)

All IAP Isoforms :

All NF-κB Isoforms :

Cellular Effect

Cell Line	Type	Value	Description	References
A2780	IC₅₀	1.79 μM Compound: 5	Cytotoxicity against human A2780 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human A2780 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 17125236]
A549	IC₅₀	0.21 μM Compound: 2	Inhibition of mPGES1 in IL-1beta stimulated human A549 cell microsomal membranes assessed as reduction in PGE2 synthase activity after 15 mins using PGH2 substrate by RP-HPLC method Inhibition of mPGES1 in IL-1beta stimulated human A549 cell microsomal membranes assessed as reduction in PGE2 synthase activity after 15 mins using PGH2 substrate by RP-HPLC method	[PMID: 25765759]
A549	IC₅₀	1.47 μM Compound: 5	Cytotoxicity against human A549 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human A549 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 17125236]
Bel-7402	IC₅₀	1.66 μM Compound: 5	Cytotoxicity against human Bel-7402 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human Bel-7402 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 17125236]
BGC-823	IC₅₀	1.69 μM Compound: 5	Cytotoxicity against human BGC-823 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human BGC-823 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 17125236]
CHO	EC₅₀	0.421 μM Compound: 2	Agonist activity at recombinant human GPR84 expressed in CHO cells assessed as inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation by fluo-4AM dye based FLIPR assay Agonist activity at recombinant human GPR84 expressed in CHO cells assessed as inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation by fluo-4AM dye based FLIPR assay	[PMID: 31721581]
CHO	EC₅₀	5 μM Compound: 2	Agonist activity at recombinant human GPR84 expressed in CHO cells assessed as beta-arrestin 2 recruitment by beta-galactosidase based PathHunter assay Agonist activity at recombinant human GPR84 expressed in CHO cells assessed as beta-arrestin 2 recruitment by beta-galactosidase based PathHunter assay	[PMID: 31721581]
HCT-8	IC₅₀	1.49 μM Compound: 5	Cytotoxicity against human HCT8 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human HCT8 cells after 96 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 17125236]
HEK293	EC₅₀	0.089 μM Compound: 2	Agonist activity at recombinant human HA-tagged GPR84 stably expressed in HEK293 cells assessed as inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation measured after 60 mins by HTRF assay Agonist activity at recombinant human HA-tagged GPR84 stably expressed in HEK293 cells assessed as inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation measured after 60 mins by HTRF assay	[PMID: 31721581]
HEK293	EC₅₀	0.63 μM Compound: 2	Agonist activity at recombinant human GPR84 expressed in HEK293 cells co-expressing Gqi5 assessed as inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation by fluo-4AM dye based FLIPR assay Agonist activity at recombinant human GPR84 expressed in HEK293 cells co-expressing Gqi5 assessed as inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation by fluo-4AM dye based FLIPR assay	[PMID: 31721581]
Jurkat	IC₅₀	20 μM Compound: Embelin	Inhibitory concentration of compound against Jurkat-Vec cells Inhibitory concentration of compound against Jurkat-Vec cells	[PMID: 15115387]
LNCaP	IC₅₀	5.7 μM Compound: Embelin	Compound was tested for inhibition of LnCap prostate cancer cells Compound was tested for inhibition of LnCap prostate cancer cells	[PMID: 15115387]
LNCaP	IC₅₀	5.7 μM Compound: Embelin	Inhibitory concentration of compound against growth of LNCaP cells in vitro Inhibitory concentration of compound against growth of LNCaP cells in vitro	[PMID: 15115387]
PC-3	IC₅₀	3.7 μM Compound: Embelin	Compound was tested for inhibition of PC-3 prostate cancer cells Compound was tested for inhibition of PC-3 prostate cancer cells	[PMID: 15115387]
PC-3	IC₅₀	3.7 μM Compound: Embelin	Inhibitory concentration of compound against growth of PC-3 cells in vitro Inhibitory concentration of compound against growth of PC-3 cells in vitro	[PMID: 15115387]
PrEC	IC₅₀	20.1 μM Compound: Embelin	Inhibitory concentration of compound against growth of PrEC cells in vitro Inhibitory concentration of compound against growth of PrEC cells in vitro	[PMID: 15115387]
PrEC	IC₅₀	20.1 μM Compound: Embelin	Selectivity in normal human prostate epithelial cells (PrEC) Selectivity in normal human prostate epithelial cells (PrEC)	[PMID: 15115387]
WI-38	IC₅₀	19.3 μM Compound: Embelin	Inhibitory concentration of compound against growth of WI-38 cells in vitro Inhibitory concentration of compound against growth of WI-38 cells in vitro	[PMID: 15115387]
WI-38	IC₅₀	19.3 μM Compound: Embelin	Selectivity in normal human fibroblast cell line, WI-38 cells Selectivity in normal human fibroblast cell line, WI-38 cells	[PMID: 15115387]

In Vitro

Embelin (Embelic acid) has a minimal effect on normal prostate epithelial and fibroblast cells with low levels of XIAP^[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. 550-24-3
Appearance Solid
Molecular Weight 294.39
Formula C₁₇H₂₆O₄
Color Yellow to orange
SMILES

O=C1C(O)=C(CCCCCCCCCCC)C(C(O)=C1)=O
Synonyms

Embelic acid; Emberine; NSC 91874
Structure Classification
- Quinones
- Benzene Quinones
Initial Source
Shipping

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.
Storage

4°C, protect from light

* In solvent : -80°C, 2 years; -20°C, 1 year (protect from light)

Publications (7)

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Journal Impact Factor

Cell Res

Neddylation of PTEN regulates its nuclear import and promotes tumor development. [Abstract]

2021 Mar;31(3):291-311. PMID: 33299139
Autophagy

XIAP-ULK1-Mediated mitophagy modulates carnitine metabolism to mitigate diabetic kidney disease. [Abstract]

2025 Oct 25. PMID: 41139215
Sci Adv

In situ protein corona-camouflaged supramolecular assemblies remodel thrombotic microenvironment for improved arterial homeostasis. [Abstract]

2025 May 2;11(18):eadu6676. PMID: 40315315
Pharmacol Res

Cardamonin retards progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease via inhibiting renal cyst growth and interstitial fibrosis. [Abstract]

2020 May:155:104751. PMID: 32151678
Phytomedicine

5-O-Methylembelin disrupts the ACO1-TPI1 interaction to promote ferroptosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. [Abstract]

2026 May 14:157:158282. PMID: 42166976
Mol Neurobiol

Embelin suppresses dendritic cell functions and limits autoimmune encephalomyelitis through the TGF-β/β-catenin and STAT3 signaling pathways. [Abstract]

2014 Apr;49(2):1087-101. PMID: 24258405

Embelin purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Mol Neurobiol. 2014 Apr;49(2):1087-101. [Abstract]

Embelin (EB) promotes TGF-β/β-catenin and inhibits STAT3 signaling in mDCs. DCs are treated with 10, 30, and 60 μM EB to investigate its effect on p-STAT3, TGF-β, β-catenin, and p-GSK-3β signaling (diluted 1:1,000).
Mol Pharm

Construction of SLC16A1/3 Targeted Gallic Acid-Iron-Embelin Nanoparticles for Regulating Glycolysis and Redox Pathways in Cervical Cancer. [Abstract]

2023 Sep 4;20(9):4574-4586. PMID: 37307591

Solvent & Solubility

In Vitro:

DMSO : ≥ 50 mg/mL (169.84 mM; Hygroscopic DMSO has a significant impact on the solubility of product, please use newly opened DMSO)

* "≥" means soluble, but saturation unknown.

View the Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table

Preparing Stock Solutions

View the Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table

Concentration Solvent Mass

1 mg

5 mg

10 mg

Concentration

Solvent

Mass

1 mM

3.3969 mL

16.9843 mL

33.9685 mL

5 mM

0.6794 mL

3.3969 mL

6.7937 mL

10 mM

0.3397 mL

1.6984 mL

3.3969 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, 2 years; -20°C, 1 year (protect from light). When stored at -80°C, please use it within 2 years. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 year.

Molarity Calculator

Mass (g) = Concentration (mol/L) × Volume (L) × Molecular Weight (g/mol)

Mass Mass

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Dilution Calculator

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In Vivo:

Select the appropriate dissolution method based on your experimental animal and administration route.

Stock Solution Working Solution

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.

Protocol 1

Add each solvent one by one: 10% DMSO 40% PEG300 5% Tween-80 45% Saline

Solubility: 2.5 mg/mL (8.49 mM); Suspended solution; Need ultrasonic

This protocol yields a suspended solution of 2.5 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 (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.

Protocol 2

Add each solvent one by one: 10% DMSO 90% Corn Oil

Solubility: ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (8.49 mM); Clear solution

This protocol yields a clear solution of ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (saturation unknown). If the continuous dosing period exceeds half a month, please choose this protocol carefully.

Taking 1 mL working solution as an example, add 100 μL DMSO stock solution (25.0 mg/mL) to 900 μL Corn oil, and mix evenly.

In Vivo Dissolution Calculator

Please enter the basic information of animal experiments:

Dosage Dosage
mg/kg
Animal Weight (Per Animal) Animal Weight (Per Animal)
g
Dosing Volume (Per Animal) Dosing Volume (Per Animal)
μL
Number of Animals Number of Animals

Recommended: Prepare an additional quantity of animals to account for potential losses during experiments.

Recommended: Prepare an additional quantity of animals to account for potential losses during experiments.

Please enter your animal formula composition:

%
DMSO +

Recommended: Keep the proportion of DMSO in working solution below 2% if your animal is weak.
%
+
+
%
Tween-80 + +
%
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

Protocols

All Cell Biology Signal Pathway Related

Mammalian live/dead viability and cytotoxicity staining
Live/dead viability and cytotoxicity staining assays are based on the simultaneous detection of intracellular esterase activity in metabolically active (viable) cells and membrane integrity loss in non-viable cells. In commonly used dual-staining approaches, membrane-permeant fluorogenic substrates are converted by intracellular esterases into fluorescent products in live cells, while impermeant DNA-binding dyes selectively enter cells with compromised plasma membranes and label nucleic acids in dead or dying cells, enabling discrimination between viable and non-viable populations by fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry.
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.
Somatic Cell Culture
A method of simulating the in vivo environment in vitro to maintain the cell growth, differentation and main functions.
CCK-8/WST-8 Cell Proliferation Assay
The CCK-8/WST-8 assay is based on the reduction of the water-soluble tetrazolium salt WST-8 to a water-soluble formazan product by cellular dehydrogenases in metabolically active cells, where the generated formazan amount is proportional to the number of living cells and is quantified by measuring absorbance in the visible range, providing a colorimetric readout for cell viability and proliferation assessment. This class of tetrazolium-based assays improves upon earlier MTT-based systems by producing a water-soluble formazan, eliminating the need for organic solubilization steps and enabling direct spectrophotometric measurement in culture medium.
Cell Counting-Based Growth Curve Assay
Cell counting-based growth curve assays quantify cell proliferation by directly measuring changes in viable cell number over time using manual or automated counting methods such as hemocytometer-based counting or instrument-assisted cell enumeration, enabling construction of growth curves that reflect population expansion dynamics in response to culture conditions. A widely used approach is trypan blue exclusion with hemocytometer counting, where membrane-compromised (non-viable) cells take up the dye, allowing discrimination between viable and non-viable cells while simultaneously enabling total cell number quantification. Repeated sampling across time points allows estimation of proliferation rate, growth phases, and comparative growth kinetics between experimental conditions.
Cell Viability Determination by MTT Colorimetric Assay
The following protocol uses the MTT colorimetric assay as a classic literature-established method for assessing cell viability/metabolic activity in cultured mammalian cells. MTT[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] is reduced by metabolically active cells to a colored formazan product; the amount of formazan is quantified spectrophotometrically and provides an indirect measure of metabolically active viable cells. Importantly, MTT reduction reflects cellular oxidoreductase/metabolic activity rather than an absolute direct count of living cells, so changes in cellular metabolism can alter the signal independently of cell number.
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.
Cell Cytotoxicity Assay
Cytotoxicity assays are usually based on the assessment of cell membrane damage, which can also be indirectly detected by measuring cell viability. Detection methods include MTT assay, CKK-8 assay, LDH assay and ATP assay, etc.
Protocol for Cell Counting and Cell Density Analysis
Cell counting and cell-density analysis estimate the number of cells in a known volume or field area. Manual hemocytometer counting uses a chamber of defined geometry to convert counted cells into cells/mL, while automated counters and image-analysis workflows detect cell objects from optical, brightfield, fluorescence, impedance, or digital-image features. Trypan blue viability counting is based on dye exclusion: viable cells with intact membranes exclude dye, while non-viable cells with compromised membranes stain blue. The readout is total cell density, viable-cell density, dead-cell density, and percent viability. Cell density can also be estimated from microscopy images by counting objects per image area, from flow cytometry using calibrated volume or reference particles, or from in situ microscopy in bioreactors after calibration against reference methods such as hemocytometer or flow cytometry.
Autophagy
Autophagy is a process in which eukaryotic cells use lysosomes to degrade their own cytoplasmic proteins and damaged organelles under the regulation of autophagy related gene (Atg). Microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3) is recognized as autophagy marker, which transfers from cytoplasmic LC3 (LC3-I) to membrane type (LC3-II). LC3-II/I ratio could be detected by Western Blot and fluorescence microscopy.
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
MTT Cell Proliferation Assay
The MTT assay is a colorimetric endpoint assay for estimating viable cell number, cell growth, cytotoxicity, or cell activation in cultured mammalian cells. Living cells reduce the yellow tetrazolium salt MTT into purple/blue formazan, while dead cells do not generate the same signal; the resulting color can be quantified with a multiwell spectrophotometer. MTT reduction is commonly interpreted as a readout of metabolic activity that often correlates with viable cell number, but it should not be treated as a direct cell-counting method unless the assay is optimized for the cell type and experimental condition. Studies show that MTT reduction can involve mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial reducing systems, and formazan may accumulate in intracellular lipid droplets rather than simply marking mitochondria.

Purity & Documentation

Select Batch:

Purity: 99.98%

Assay: 99.98%

ee.: 99.98%

Data Sheet (270 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]. Nikolovska-Coleska Z, et al. Discovery of embelin as a cell-permeable, small-molecular weight inhibitor of XIAP through structure-based computational screening of a traditional herbal medicine three-dimensional structure database. J Med Chem. 2004;47(10):2430-2440. [Content Brief]

[2]. Ahn KS, et al. Embelin, an inhibitor of X chromosome-linked inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein, blocks nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway leading to suppression of NF-kappaB-regulated antiapoptotic and metastatic gene products. Mol Pharmacol. 2007;71(1):209-219. [Content Brief]

[3]. Lee YJ, et al. XIAP inhibitor embelin induces autophagic and apoptotic cell death in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Environ Toxicol. 2017;32(11):2371-2378. [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

Optional Solvent	Concentration Solvent Mass	1 mg	5 mg	10 mg	25 mg
DMSO	1 mM	3.3969 mL	16.9843 mL	33.9685 mL	84.9214 mL
	5 mM	0.6794 mL	3.3969 mL	6.7937 mL	16.9843 mL
	10 mM	0.3397 mL	1.6984 mL	3.3969 mL	8.4921 mL
	15 mM	0.2265 mL	1.1323 mL	2.2646 mL	5.6614 mL
	20 mM	0.1698 mL	0.8492 mL	1.6984 mL	4.2461 mL
	25 mM	0.1359 mL	0.6794 mL	1.3587 mL	3.3969 mL
	30 mM	0.1132 mL	0.5661 mL	1.1323 mL	2.8307 mL
	40 mM	0.0849 mL	0.4246 mL	0.8492 mL	2.1230 mL
	50 mM	0.0679 mL	0.3397 mL	0.6794 mL	1.6984 mL
	60 mM	0.0566 mL	0.2831 mL	0.5661 mL	1.4154 mL
	80 mM	0.0425 mL	0.2123 mL	0.4246 mL	1.0615 mL
	100 mM	0.0340 mL	0.1698 mL	0.3397 mL	0.8492 mL

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Embelin

Publications Citing Use of MedChemExpress (MCE) Embelin

All IAP Isoforms

All NF-κB Isoforms