Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Shikonin: Production by Plant (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) Cell Cultures

1988; Springer Nature; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-3-642-73026-9_11

2512-3696

Y. Fujita,

Diverse Education Studies and Reforms

Shikonin and its derivatives are contained in the outer surface of the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizori (Boraginaceae) and these purple-red compounds, with naphthazalin skeleton (Fig. 1) are present as low molecular weight fatty acid ester in the roots. The dried root is called Koshikon and has been used as a crude drug. It has an appreciable pharmacological effect as an antibacterial agent, granulation tissue-forming activity and in anti-ulcer activity (Hayashi et al. 1969; Tanaka and Odani 1972; Papageorgiou 1980). Shikonin derivatives are used widely in salves for external injuries such as hemorrhoids, burns and cuts. Shikonin and its stereoisomer, alkanin, have been used as a food pigment in European countries.