Tanshinlactone 

Tanshinlactone is a compound found in Salvia miltiorrhiza with anti-coronavirus (CoV) and anti-tumor activities. Tanshinlactone induces methuocytic cell death (methuosis) by activating the NRF2 pathway, and selectively kills ER⁺, HER2⁺/EGFR⁺ breast cancer cells. Tanshinlactone is applicable to research related to breast cancer and coronavirus infections^[1][2].

Tanshinlactone (0.1-10 μM; 72 h) selectively inhibits the proliferation of ER+, HER2+ and EGFR+ human breast cancer cells, but shows no activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells, normal cells or other types of cancer cells^[2].
Tanshinlactone (0-2 μM; 7-14 days) reduces the colony-forming ability of ER+, HER2+ and EGFR+ human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, but exerts no effect on the colony formation of triple-negative breast cancer cells^[2].
Tanshinlactone (0-6.32 μM; 0-64 h) induces dose- and time-dependent cytoplasmic vacuolization in ER⁺ and HER2⁺ human breast cancer cells, which further leads to cell rupture, but exerts no such effect in triple-negative breast cancer cells^[2].
Treatment of human breast cancer cells SK-BR-3 and ZR-75-1 with Tanshinlactone (6.32 μM; 24 h) upregulates the mRNA expression of genes that promote macropinocytosis, while downregulating the mRNA expression of genes involved in the transport of macropinosomes to lysosomes and the plasma membrane^[2].
Tanshinlactone (6.32 μM; 24-48 h) induces vesicular cell death (a non-apoptotic, non-ferroptotic, non-necrotic form of cell death) in human breast cancer cell lines SK-BR-3 and ZR-75-1, and this process depends on macropinocytosis^[2].
Tanshinlactone (0-20 μM; 48 h) induces vacuolar cell death in human breast cancer cell lines SK-BR-3 and ZR-75-1 by activating the NRF2 signaling pathway^[2].

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

264.28

C₁₇H₁₂O₃

105351-70-0

O=C1C2=C3C=CC=C(C)C3=CC=C2C(OC=C4C)=C4O1

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

Please store the product under the recommended conditions in the Certificate of Analysis.

• [1]. Lin W, et al. Tanshinlactone triggers methuosis in breast cancer cells via NRF2 activation. Front Pharmacol. 2025;15:1534217. Published 2025 Jan 21.

  [2]. Rodrigues GCS, et al. Ligand and Structure-based Virtual Screening of Lamiaceae Diterpenes with Potential Activity against a Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Curr Top Med Chem. 2020;20(24):2126-2145.  [Content Brief]