Database Query Results : Shikonin, , EMT

SK, Shikonin: Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
The (R)-enantiomer of alkannin is known as shikonin, and the racemic mixture of the two is known as shikalkin.
Shikonin is a naphthoquinone derivative primarily isolated from the roots of plants in the Boraginaceae family (e.g., Lithospermum erythrorhizon).
Shikonin is the main active component of a Chinese medicinal plant 'Zi Cao'
-Shikonin is a major component of zicao (purple gromwell, the dried root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon), a Chinese herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory properties
-Quinone methides (QMs) are highly reactive intermediates formed from natural compounds like shikonin
-ic50 cancer cells 1-10uM, normal cells >10uM

-known as Glycolysis inhibitor: ( inhibit pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2*******), a key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway)

Available from mcsformulas.com Shikonin Pro Liposomal, 30 mg
Also In Glycolysis Inhibithree(100 mg PHLORIZIN,10 mg TANSHINONE IIA, 8 mg Shikonin)

-Note half-life15-30mins or 8hr?.
BioAv low, poor water solubility
Pathways:
- usually induce ROS production in cancer cells, and reduce ROS in normal cells.
- ROS↑ related: MMP↓(ΔΨm), ER Stress↑, GRP78↑, Ca+2↑, Cyt‑c↑, Caspases↑, DNA damage↑, cl-PARP↑, HSP↓,
- Lowers AntiOxidant defense in Cancer Cells: NRF2↓, TrxR↓**, SOD↓, GSH↓ Catalase↓ GPx4↓
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: ROS↓, NRF2↑, SOD↑, GSH↑, Catalase↑,
- lowers Inflammation : NF-kB↓, COX2↓, p38↓, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines : NLRP3↓, IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓, IL-6↓, IL-8↓
- inhibit Growth/Metastases : TumMeta↓, TumCG↓, EMT, MMPs↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, IGF-1↓, uPA↓, VEGF↓, FAK↓, NF-κB↓, TGF-β↓, ERK↓
- cause Cell cycle arrest : TumCCA↑, cyclin D1↓, cyclin E↓, CDK2↓, CDK4↓,
- inhibits Migration/Invasion : TumCMig↓, TumCI↓, FAK↓, ERK↓, EMT,
- inhibits glycolysis /Warburg Effect and ATP depletion : HIF-1α↓, PKM2↓, cMyc↓, GLUT1↓, LDH↓, LDHA↓, HK2↓, PFKs↓, PDKs↓, ECAR↓, OXPHOS↓, GRP78↑, GlucoseCon↓
- inhibits angiogenesis↓ : VEGF↓, HIF-1α↓, EGFR↓, Integrins↓,
- Others: PI3K↓, AKT↓, JAK↓, STAT↓, β-catenin↓, AMPK, ERK↓, JNK, P53↑,
- Synergies: chemo-sensitization, chemoProtective, RadioSensitizer, Others(review target notes), Neuroprotective, Cognitive, Renoprotection, Hepatoprotective, CardioProtective,

- Selectivity: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells
Rank Pathway / Target Axis Direction Primary Effect Notes / Cancer Relevance
1 PKM2-mediated aerobic glycolysis (Warburg metabolism) Energy / biomass restriction Key, repeatedly reported mechanism: shikonin suppresses PKM2 activity and PKM2-driven glycolysis in multiple tumor models, with downstream growth inhibition and apoptosis
2 ROS accumulation / oxidative stress ↑ ROS Redox overload Common upstream trigger that drives mitochondrial dysfunction and regulated cell death programs; often precedes necroptosis/apoptosis signaling
3 Necroptosis core cascade (RIPK1 → RIPK3 → MLKL) Programmed necrotic cell death Strong evidence across cancers (e.g., leukemia and nasopharyngeal carcinoma): shikonin increases RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL expression/activation; necroptosis inhibitors can blunt the effect
4 Mitochondrial integrity (ΔΨm) Mitochondrial dysfunction ROS-linked depolarization; acts as a pivot into intrinsic apoptosis and other death programs
5 Intrinsic apoptosis (BAX/BAK → Caspase-9/3) Programmed cell death Frequently observed; often framed as ROS → mitochondrial damage → caspase-dependent apoptosis
6 PKM2/STAT3 signaling axis Reduced survival & proliferation signaling In ESCC and related models, shikonin suppresses PKM2-driven glycolysis and down-modulates STAT3 pathway activity
7 NF-κB pathway Reduced pro-survival transcription Reported as part of multi-target suppression of inflammatory/anti-apoptotic programs in several tumor models and reviews
8 PI3K–AKT (± mTOR) Growth & resistance pathway inhibition Often described as sensitizing cells to apoptosis/TRAIL; may be secondary to oxidative stress and metabolic collapse
9 Stress MAPKs (JNK / p38) Pro-death stress signaling Common downstream response to ROS; can reinforce apoptosis and other death outcomes
10 Ferroptosis-related axis (lipid peroxidation; GPX4) ↑ lipid perox / ↓ GPX4 Iron-dependent oxidative death Reported prominently for acetylshikonin (a shikonin derivative): ROS-associated lipid peroxidation with reduced GPX4 expression alongside RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL activation
11 Endoplasmic reticulum stress (UPR / ERS) Proteotoxic stress signaling Frequently mentioned in leukemia-focused mechanism summaries and broader reviews as contributory to growth arrest and death
12 Multiple regulated death programs (apoptosis / necroptosis / ferroptosis / pyroptosis) ↑ (context-dependent) Broader cell-death engagement Recent reviews emphasize that shikonin can engage several programmed cell death modalities depending on cell context and dosing
Rank Pathway / Target Axis Direction Primary Effect Notes / Cancer Relevance Ref
1 PKM2-mediated aerobic glycolysis (Warburg metabolism) ↓ PKM2 activity / ↓ glycolysis Energy & biomass restriction Demonstrates shikonin (and analogs) inhibit cancer glycolysis, reducing glucose consumption/lactate production via PKM2 targeting (ref)
2 PKM2 → STAT3 signaling axis ↓ PKM2-driven signaling / ↓ STAT3 pathway Reduced survival & proliferation ESCC study: shikonin suppresses PKM2-mediated aerobic glycolysis and regulates PKM2/STAT3 signaling (ref)
3 Necroptosis (RIPK1 → RIPK3 → MLKL) ↑ RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL Programmed necrotic cell death Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: shikonin induces necroptosis with upregulation of RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL (with ROS involvement) (ref)
4 ROS accumulation ↑ ROS Oxidative stress trigger Colon cancer model: shikonin increases intracellular ROS; ROS functions upstream of apoptosis (ref)
5 Mitochondrial apoptosis (Caspase-9/3) ↑ Caspase-9/3 Programmed cell death Same colon cancer study shows shikonin increases caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity (mitochondria-mediated apoptosis) (ref)
6 ER stress / UPR (PERK → eIF2α → CHOP) Proteotoxic stress apoptosis signaling Colon cancer: shikonin-induced apoptosis mediated by PERK/eIF2α/CHOP ER-stress pathway (ref)
7 Autophagic flux (autophagosome–lysosome completion) ↓ autophagic flux (blocked) ROS + apoptosis amplification Colorectal cancer: shikonin induces ROS and apoptosis by inhibiting autophagic flux (ref)
8 NF-κB signaling ↓ NF-κB activity Reduced pro-survival transcription Pancreatic cancer xenograft/mechanistic study: shikonin suppresses NF-κB activity and NF-κB–regulated gene products (ref)
9 PI3K–AKT–mTOR (stemness / chemoresistance axis) ↓ PI3K/AKT/mTOR Reduced survival & stemness Chemoresistant lung cancer CSC context: shikonin attenuates PI3K–Akt–mTOR pathway and reduces cancer stemness (ref)
10 Cell cycle control (p21; G2/M arrest) ↑ p21 / ↑ G2/M arrest Proliferation block Gastric cancer (AGS): shikonin induces cell-cycle arrest linked to p21 regulation (ref)
11 Invasion / metastasis programs (NF-κB-linked) ↓ invasion Anti-invasive phenotype Reports shikonin inhibits tumor invasion via down-regulation of NF-κB–related mechanisms in a high-metastatic tumor model (ref)
12 Chemosensitization via glycolysis suppression ↓ glycolysis / ↑ cisplatin sensitivity Combination benefit NSCLC: shikonin inhibits glycolysis and sensitizes cells to cisplatin (explicitly connecting metabolic suppression to chemosensitization) (ref)


EMT, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
Biological process in which epithelial cells lose their cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion properties and gain mesenchymal traits, such as increased motility and invasiveness. This process is pivotal during embryogenesis and wound healing. Hh signaling pathway is able to regulate the EMT. Snail, E-cadherin and N-cadherin, key components of EMT; EMT-related factors, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin; The hallmark of EMT is the upregulation of N-cadherin followed by the downregulation of E-cadherin.
EMT is regulated by various signaling pathways, including TGF-β, Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog pathways. Transcription factors such as Snail, Slug, Twist, and ZEB play critical roles in repressing epithelial markers (like E-cadherin) and promoting mesenchymal markers (like N-cadherin and vimentin).
EMT is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness, enhanced migratory and invasive capabilities, and resistance to apoptosis.


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
2359- SK,    Regulating lactate-related immunometabolism and EMT reversal for colorectal cancer liver metastases using shikonin targeted delivery
- in-vivo, Liver, NA
TumCG↓, SHK@HA-MPDA achieved tumor-targeted delivery via hyaluronic acid-mediated binding with the tumor-associated CD44, and efficiently arrested colorectal tumor growth
PKM2↓, The inhibition of PKM2 by SHK@HA-MPDA led to the remodeling of the tumor immune microenvironment
EMT↓, reversing EMT by lactate abatement and the suppression of TGFβ signaling
TGF-β↓,
Glycolysis↓, EMT reversal by suppressing glycolysis and lactate production
lactateProd↓,
ATP↓, SHK@HA-MPDA nanosystem efficiently inhibited tetramer PKM2 and further reduced lactate and ATP production

3048- SK,    Shikonin inhibits triple-negative breast cancer-cell metastasis by reversing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via glycogen synthase kinase 3β-regulated suppression of β-catenin signaling
- in-vitro, BC, MDA-MB-231 - in-vitro, BC, 4T1 - in-vitro, Nor, MCF12A - in-vivo, NA, NA
tumCV↓, results revealed that shikonin potently decreased the viabilities of TNBC MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells but showed less cytotoxicity to normal mammary epithelial MCF-12A cells
selectivity↑,
EMT↓, shikonin reversed the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells.
TumCMig↓, Shikonin depressed cell migration and invasion, upregulated E-cadherin levels, downregulated N-cadherin, vimentin, and Snail levels, and reorganized the cytoskeletal proteins F-actin and vimentin.
TumCI↓,
E-cadherin↑,
N-cadherin↓,
Vim↓,
Snail↓,
β-catenin/ZEB1↓, Shikonin reversed EMT by inhibiting activation of β-catenin signaling through attenuating β-catenin expression
GSK‐3β↑, shikonin upregulated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) levels, leading to enhanced phosphorylation and decreased levels of β-catenin.

2197- SK,    Shikonin derivatives for cancer prevention and therapy
- Review, Var, NA
ROS↑, This compound accumulates in the mitochondria, which leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and deregulates intracellular Ca2+ levels.
Ca+2↑,
BAX↑, shikonin alone by increasing the expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax protein and decreasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 protein
Bcl-2↓,
MMP9↓, This treatment also inhibited metastasis by decreasing the expression of MMP-9 and NF-kB p65 without affecting MMP-2 expression.
NF-kB↓,
PKM2↓, Figure 4
Hif1a↓,
NRF2↓,
P53↑,
DNMT1↓,
MDR1↓,
COX2↓,
VEGF↓,
EMT↓,
MMP7↓,
MMP13↓,
uPA↓,
RIP1↑,
RIP3↑,
Casp3↑,
Casp7↑,
Casp9↑,
P21↓,
DFF45↓,
TRAIL↑,
PTEN↑,
mTOR↓,
AR↓,
FAK↓,
Src↓,
Myc↓,
RadioS↑, shikonin acted as a radiosensitizer because of the high ROS production it induced.

2196- SK,    Research progress in mechanism of anticancer action of shikonin targeting reactive oxygen species
- Review, Var, NA
*ALAT↓, shikonin was found to mitigate the rise in ALT and AST levels triggered by LPS/GalN
*AST↓,
*Inflam?, demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of shikonin within two traditional mouse models frequently employed in pharmacological research to assess anti-inflammatory activities
*EMT↑, Shikonin stimulates EMT by weakening the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65
ROS?, naphthoquinone framework possesses the capacity to produce ROS, which in turn modulate cellular oxidative stress levels
TrxR1↓, Duan and colleagues demonstrated that shikonin specifically inhibits the physiological function of TrxR1 by targeting its Sec residue
PERK↑, In vivo Western blot of HCT-15(colon cancer) xenografts showed shikonin upregulated PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP and IRE1α/JNK pathways.
eIF2α↑,
ATF4↑,
CHOP↑,
IRE1↑,
JNK↑,
eff↝, oral shikonin did not demonstrate anti-tumor effects in the colorectal cancer model, intraperitoneal injection significantly inhibited tumor growth.
DR5↑, upregulation of Death Receptor 5 (DR5) in cholangiocarcinoma cells through ROS-induced activation of the JNK signaling cascade.
Glycolysis↓, inhibited glycolysis in HepG2 cells by suppressing the activity of PKM2, a critical enzyme within the glycolytic pathway
PKM2↓,
ChemoSen↑, The combination of shikonin with drugs can reverse drug resistance and enhance therapeutic efficacy
GPx4↓, shikonin conjunction with cisplatin overcame drug resistance in cancer cells, downregulated GPX4, and upregulated haemoglobin oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) inducing iron death in cells.
HO-1↑,


* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 4

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

GPx4↓, 1,   HO-1↑, 1,   NRF2↓, 1,   ROS?, 1,   ROS↑, 1,   TrxR1↓, 1,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics

ATP↓, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

Glycolysis↓, 2,   lactateProd↓, 1,   PKM2↓, 3,  

Cell Death

BAX↑, 1,   Bcl-2↓, 1,   Casp3↑, 1,   Casp7↑, 1,   Casp9↑, 1,   DR5↑, 1,   JNK↑, 1,   Myc↓, 1,   RIP1↑, 1,   TRAIL↑, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics

tumCV↓, 1,  

Protein Folding & ER Stress

CHOP↑, 1,   eIF2α↑, 1,   IRE1↑, 1,   PERK↑, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair

DFF45↓, 1,   DNMT1↓, 1,   P53↑, 1,  

Cell Cycle & Senescence

P21↓, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

EMT↓, 3,   GSK‐3β↑, 1,   mTOR↓, 1,   PTEN↑, 1,   Src↓, 1,   TumCG↓, 1,  

Migration

Ca+2↑, 1,   E-cadherin↑, 1,   FAK↓, 1,   MMP13↓, 1,   MMP7↓, 1,   MMP9↓, 1,   N-cadherin↓, 1,   RIP3↑, 1,   Snail↓, 1,   TGF-β↓, 1,   TumCI↓, 1,   TumCMig↓, 1,   uPA↓, 1,   Vim↓, 1,   β-catenin/ZEB1↓, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature

ATF4↑, 1,   Hif1a↓, 1,   VEGF↓, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

COX2↓, 1,   NF-kB↓, 1,  

Hormonal & Nuclear Receptors

AR↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

ChemoSen↑, 1,   eff↝, 1,   MDR1↓, 1,   RadioS↑, 1,   selectivity↑, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers

AR↓, 1,   Myc↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 63

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

ALAT↓, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

EMT↑, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

Inflam?, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers

ALAT↓, 1,   AST↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 5

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: EMT, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
4 Shikonin
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:150  Target#:96  State#:%  Dir#:%
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