Hinokinin

Hinokinin is a dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan, derived from various species of plants. It is a potential antichagonistic agent. In vitro, it has been shown to have potential neuroprotective effects as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antiviral and antifungal properties.

Hinokinin was isolated for the first time by Yoshiki and Ishiguro in 1933 from hinoki wood.

Chemical properties
Hinokinin is a colourless crystalline compound.

It can be isolated from various species of Chamaecyparis, Zanthoxylum, Phyllanthus, Aristolochia, Piper, Virola, Linum and Bursera. It is also synthesised from pinoresinol.

Cytotoxic actions
Hinokinin has shown to induce apoptosis and promote antitumor actions on various cancer cell lines in vitro.

Anti-inflammatory actions
Hinokinin has been shown to inhibit the generation of superoxide molecules by neutrophils and also decreases elastase secretion from neutrophils. It has also shown to reduce LPS induced nitric oxide production from macrophages.The anti-inflammatory property of hinokinin is mediated by the NF-kB signalling mechanism.

Anti-parasitic actions
Hinokinin has been shown to be an antitrypanosomal agent. Its use as a treatment for trypanosomiasis is still being researched.

Anti-viral actions
It has shown significant antiviral activity against human hepatitis B virus, HIV and SARS-CoV.