Cepharanthine: An Update of Its Mode of Action, Pharmacological Properties, and Medical Applications
May 2019
in “
Phytomedicine
”
TLDR Cepharanthine is a well-tolerated drug with multiple medical uses, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Cepharanthine (CEP), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid used in Japan since the 1950s, treated various acute and chronic conditions such as leukopenia, snake bites, xerostomia, and alopecia. Derived from Stephania cephalantha Hayata, CEP exhibited anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immuno-regulatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic properties. Its multifactorial mechanism included membrane effects and interference with metabolic pathways like AMPK and NFκB, crucial for its anti-inflammatory action. The review traced CEP's historical development, detailed its pharmacological actions, and proposed future clinical applications for this well-tolerated drug.
