Description
Chelerythrine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid found in Chelidonium and Zanthoxylum that exhibits anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Chelerythrine inhibits PKC and Na+/K+ ATPases. In LPS-stimulated animal models, chelerythrine decreases levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and myeloperoxidase. In hepatoma cells, this compound decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential, increases release of cytochrome C, stimulates cleavage of PARP, alters the Bax/Bcl-xl ratio, and induces apoptosis.