Description
Oltipraz is an activator of Nrf2 that exhibits anti-fibrotic, anti-diabetic, anti-parasitic, anti-angiogenic, and anticancer chemotherapeutic activities. Oltipraz induces phase II enzymes such as NADPH:quinone reductase. Oltipraz also displays efficacy in the treatment of Schistosoma infections. In vivo, oltipraz inhibits diet-induced development of hepatic fibrosis. In high-fat diet-fed animal models, oltipraz prevents decreases in expression of GLUT4, Nrf2, superoxide dismutase, and heme oxygenase 1 and suppresses increases in protein oxidation and iNOS production, improving glucose disposal and overall body weight. In animal models of cancer, this compound decreases vessel density, expression of VEGF, and tumor growth; additionally, oltipraz increases ubiquitination and suppresses expression of HIF-1α.