calycosin

Calycosin (Cyclosin) acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator. Calycosin induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells by activating caspases and Bcl-2 family proteins. Calycosin suppresses breast cancer cell growth via ERβ-dependent regulation of IGF-1R, p38 MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways. Calycosin has antineoplastic effects against osteosarcoma through inducing apoptosis showing in vitro and in vivo investigations. Calycosin was shown to induce angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cell cultures (HUVEC) in vitro. Calycosin may be an effective skin-lightening agent that regulates the expression of melanogenic enzymes. Calycosin exhibited tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC(50) value of 38.4 microM.

Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside) possesses a protective effect on rat hepatocytes, an inhibitory effect on COX-2 activity. Calycosin 7-O-β-D-glucoside has antimicrobial activity. Calycosin 7-O-β-D-glucoside is a promising anti-HIV agent. It shows scavenging activity to DPPH radicals and superoxide anion. Calycosin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside possesses an alleviating effect on osteoarthritis and can increase the fluidity of brain cell membrane in ischemia-reperfusion rats.