Biochem/physiol Actions
Cryptotanshinone is a quinoid diterpene isolated from the root of the Asian medicinal plant, Salvia miotiorrhiza bunge. Recently it was discovered that the compound is a potent STAT3 inhibitor. Cryptotanshinone rapidly inhibited STAT3 Tyr705 phosphorylation through a JAK2-independent mechanism. Cryptotanshinone selectively inhibits STAT3-activated cell lines through binding to monomer STAT3, subsequently blocking the dimerization and inhibiting STAT3 transcriptional regulatory activity. Previously, it was reported that the compound counteracts inflammation through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase II activity and endothelin-1 expression. In traditional oriental medicine dried roots of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) have commonly been used for the treatment of circulatory disorders, liver disease, coronary heart disease, hepatitis, and chronic renal failure.