C14. Shikonin

Shikonin is a purplish red crystalline powder, found in the dried root of the plant lithospermum erythrorhizon. Shikonin has natural active anti-inflammatory and skin repair ingredients, as well as some antioxidant activities. It is safe to use and effective, applicable for all kinds of skin, with effects of anti-inflammation, hemostasis, skin regeneration. It can quickly penetrate into the skin, promoting wound healing, thus toeliminate acne, acne scars, and make spots fade away.

Appearance

Purplish red crystalline powder

Plant part used

Lithospermum erythrorhizon root

Solubility

Not  readily soluble in water;

Soluble in alcohol, organic solvent and vegetable oil.

INCI

Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Extract

Effects

Anti-inflammatory

Skin repair

Registration

CAS-No…………………………............................517-89-5

Application

Anti-inflammatory

It is used in cosmetics, with the main functional mechanisms as following:

1. Shikonin inhibits macrophage from releasing inflammatory mediators TNF-α.
2. It inhibits macrophage NF-κBp65 to transport from cytoplasm to nucleus.
3. It increases expressions of I-κBα and ubiquitin protein in macrophages.
4. It also induces death of apoptotic and necrotic cells.

Skin repair

Apoptosis is an important process in scar tissue remodeling. Studies about shikonin have indicated its scar repair effect by suppressing cell viability and proliferation, inducing apoptosis of scar related cells in fibroblasts, and decreasing the production of collagen protein. With its skin repair property, shikonin is often used for healing skin diseases.