Review of Shikonin and Derivatives: Isolation, Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Pharmacology and Toxicology
Snehlata Yadav, Ajay Sharma, Gulzar Ahmad Nayik, Raymond Cooper, Garima Bhardwaj, Harvinder Singh Sohal, Vishal Mutreja, Ramandeep Kaur, Franklin Oré Areche, Mohannad AlOudat, Ayaz Mukarram Shaikh, Béla Kovács, Abdelhakam Esmaeil Mohamed Ahmed
Abstract
belonging to the Boraginaceae family, have numerous applications in foods, cosmetics, and textiles. Shikonin, a potent bioactive red pigment, has been used in traditional medicinal systems to cure various ailments and is well known for its diverse pharmacological potential such as anticancer, antithrombotic, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-gonadotropic, antioxidants, antimicrobial and insecticidal. Herein, updated research on the natural sources, pharmacology, toxicity studies, and various patents filed worldwide related to shikonin and approaches to shikonin's biogenic and chemical synthesis are reviewed. Furthermore, recent studies to establish reliable production systems to meet market demand, functional identification, and future clinical development of shikonin and its derivatives against various diseases are presented.