Abstract
Shikonin is a red naphthaquinone pigment present in the roots of plants of
the Boraginaceae family. This pigment is an as active ingredient in several
pharmaceutical and cosmetics preparations, and as a dye for fabrics and food items. It
shows many bioactivities such as stimulation of peroxidase, protection against UV-radiation, inhibition of microsomal monooxygenase and induction and secretion of
nerve growth factor. In this book chapter, we have provided detailed information on its
biosynthesis and prospects for pharmaceutical use.
Keywords: Biosynthesis, Naphthaquinone, Secondary metabolites, Shikonin.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter as:
Ravi S. Singh, Sanjay Kumar ;Shikonin, a Naphthaquinone of Commercial Importance: its Biosynthesis and Prospect for Use as Drugs, Frontiers In Medicinal Chemistry (2023) 10: 233. https://doi.org/10.2174/9789815165043123100011
DOI https://doi.org/10.2174/9789815165043123100011 |
Print ISSN 1567-2042 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5763 |