Abstract
SHS investigation development is considered from the geographical and historical viewpoint. 3 stages are described. Within Stage 1 the work was carried out in the Department of the Institute of Chemical Physics in Chernogolovka where the scientific discovery had been made. At Stage 2 the interest to SHS arose in different cities and towns of the former USSR. Within Stage 3 SHS entered the international scene. Now SHS processes and products are being studied in more than 50 countries.
Abstract
Shikonin is a red naphthaquinone pigment present in the roots of plants of
the Boraginaceae family. This pigment is an as active ingredient in several
pharmaceutical and cosmetics preparations, and as a dye for fabrics and food items. It
shows many bioactivities such as stimulation of peroxidase, protection against UV-radiation, inhibition of microsomal monooxygenase and induction and secretion of
nerve growth factor. In this book chapter, we have provided detailed information on its
biosynthesis and prospects for pharmaceutical use.
Keywords:
Biosynthesis, Naphthaquinone, Secondary metabolites, Shikonin.
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Authors:Bentham Science Books