Product name: α-Norbixin
Synonym name: cis-Norbixin
Catalogue No.: BP2093
Cas No.: 626-76-6
Formula: C₂₄H₂₈O₄
Mol Weight: 380.198
Botanical Source:
Type of Compound:

Purity: 95%~99%
Analysis Method: HPLC-DAD or/and HPLC-ELSD
Identification Method: Mass, NMR
Packing: Brown vial or HDPE plastic bottle

Storage: Store in a well closed container, protected from air and light. Put into refrigerate or freeze for long term storage.
Whenever possible, you should prepare and use solutions on the same day. However, if you need to make up stock solutions in advance, we recommend that you store the solution as aliquots in tightly sealed vials at -20℃. Generally, these will be useable for up to two weeks.

The product could be supplied from milligrams to grams
Inquire for bulk scale.

For Reference Standard and R&D, Not for Human Use Directly.

NMR of α-Norbixin

HPLC of α-Norbixin

Storage conditions：Short-term storage at 2~8℃, long-term storage at -20 ~ -80℃

Introduction/Overview

Norbixin (α-Norbixin) is a naturally occurring carotenoid derivative mainly found in the seeds of the annatto tree (Bixa orellana L.). As a natural colorant, Rhodantin is widely used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals due to its unique orange-red color and good food safety. In recent years, with in-depth research into the pharmacological activity of natural products, redwoodin has demonstrated significant biological effects in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and radiation protection, especially attracting widespread attention in the field of radiation damage protection. This paper aims to systematically review the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of rosewood depressant, plant origin and extraction process, pharmacological activity, and mechanism of action, and, combined with its druggability parameters, explore its clinical application prospects and future development directions.

Chemical structure and physicochemical properties

The chemical name of rosewood is cis-9′-cis-6′-dicarboxy-β-caroteneate, with a molecular formula of C25H30O4 and a molecular weight of 380.4840. Its structural feature is a carotenoid skeleton containing a conjugated double bond system, with two carboxyl functional groups at the end, endowing it with certain polarity and acidity. The LogP value of rosewoodin was 4.7282, indicating strong lipid solubility, but the TPSA (Topological Surface Area) was 74.6, indicating certain polarity that facilitates binding to biomacromolecules. Low water solubility (0.0148 mg/mL) limits its solubility and bioavailability in the aqueous phase. Its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier is relatively low, suggesting its limited distribution in the central nervous system. The hERG channel inhibition test was negative, indicating that erygonin has a low risk of cardiotoxicity. Ames mutagenicity test was zero, indicating a low genotoxicity risk.

Plant Origins and Extraction Methods

Rosewoodin mainly comes from the seeds of the annatto tree, which is widely distributed in tropical America and is a traditional natural dye and medicinal plant. The seed coat is rich in desanglitin, and traditionally, dye powder is obtained by grinding the seed shell. Modern extraction processes mainly use organic solvent extraction methods, such as ethanol, ethyl acetate, or acetone, combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction or supercritical CO2 extraction technologies to improve extraction efficiency and purity.

The extraction process generally includes: seed crushing→ solvent soaking→ ultrasonic-assisted extraction→ filtration→ solvent recovery→ concentration and crystallization. During extraction, avoid light exposure and high temperatures to prevent isomerization and degradation of sergon. Purified redoxin usually exists in cis-isomer form, offering high stability and biological activity.

Pharmacological activity research

Rosewoodin has demonstrated various biological activities in pharmacological research, with antioxidant and radiation protection being the most prominent. Its antioxidant activity mainly manifests in scavenging free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and regulating the intracellular antioxidant enzyme system. In vitro experiments have shown that gentoxin can effectively scavenge hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions, reducing oxidative stress damage.

In terms of radiation protection, rosewoodin regulates intracellular antioxidant enzyme expression, reducing oxidative damage and apoptosis caused by radiation. Animal model studies show that pretreatment with redwoodin can significantly improve the survival rate of radiation-exposed mice and reduce radiation damage to bone marrow and intestinal tissues, suggesting its potential value in radiation protection. In addition, redwoodin exhibits multiple pharmacological activities including anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory, providing a theoretical foundation for its multi-target drug development.

Mechanism of action and molecular targets

The radiation protection effect of rosewood is mainly achieved by regulating intracellular oxidative stress-related signaling pathways. Key targets include NFE2L2 (nuclear factor red cell 2-related factor 2, Nrf2) and its downstream antioxidant enzymes SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1), CAT (catalase), GPX1 (glutathione peroxidase 1), and HMOX1 (hemoglobin oxygenase 1).

NFE2L2 is the main regulator of cellular antioxidant defense. Erygonidin activates the NFE2L2 signaling pathway, promotes its nuclear translocation, and binds to antioxidant response elements (AREs), upregulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD1, CAT, GPX1, and HMOX1, enhancing cells' ability to scavenge free radicals and reducing radiation-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory responses. Additionally, gentoxylin reduces pro-inflammatory factor expression by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway related to oxidative stress, further protecting tissues from radiation damage.

Druggability evaluation and pharmacokinetics

The druggability parameters of rosewood depressant indicate that it has certain potential for drug development. It has moderate molecular weight and high lipid solubility, which benefits cell membrane permeability, but its lower water solubility may limit its oral bioavailability. The low penetration ability of the blood-brain barrier suggests limited application in the central nervous system, but this actually offers advantages for targeted therapy of surrounding tissues such as radiation protection.

In terms of safety, erygin does not inhibit hERG channels and carries a lower risk of cardiotoxicity; Ames test is negative, with low genotoxicity risk and meeting drug safety requirements. Currently, pharmacokinetic studies are limited. Preliminary data show that rosewoodin is absorbed orally slowly, is widely distributed in the body, and is mainly metabolized by the liver. Its excretion pathway still needs further clarification. To improve bioavailability, the development of novel drug delivery systems such as nanocarriers and liposomes has become a key focus for future research.

Prospects and outlooks for clinical applications

Due to its excellent antioxidant and radiation-protective properties, rosewood has broad application prospects in clinical fields. First, as a natural radiation protector, rosewoodin can be used as an adjunct to radiotherapy, reducing radiation damage to normal tissues and improving treatment tolerance. Second, it is relatively safe and suitable for long-term oral use to prevent diseases related to radiation exposure, especially for occupational protection in the nuclear industry, aerospace, and medical radiation workers.

In addition, the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of roseginin also offer potential in adjuvant therapy for chronic inflammatory diseases and tumors. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and preclinical studies to clarify the optimal dosing regimen and dosage to promote clinical translation. At the same time, by integrating modern drug design and nanotechnology, optimizing the drug carrier system for redwood depressor to improve its bioavailability and targeting will greatly promote its clinical application.

Conclusion

As a natural carotenoid with abundant sources and unique structure, redwoodin has become an important subject of natural product pharmacological research due to its remarkable antioxidant and radiation protective activities. By activating NFE2L2 and downstream antioxidant enzymes, it regulates cellular oxidative stress states, demonstrating multi-target and multi-mechanism protective effects. Druggability evaluation shows good safety and good drug development potential. In the future, combining modern extraction and purification technologies with new drug delivery systems, redwoodin is expected to become a safe and effective drug for radiation protection and related disease prevention and treatment. Systematic and in-depth pharmacological mechanism research and preclinical evaluation will lay a solid foundation for its clinical application and promote innovative development in the field of natural product pharmacology.