Periplocin

Periplocin is a plant-derived glycoside whereby the sugar moiety is linked to a steroid. It can be extracted from cortex periplocae (CPP), the dry root of Periploca sepium.

CPP's healing activities have long been recognized in traditional Chinese medicine where it has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Scientific studies of CPP have identified over 100 components of which periplocin has been a major focus both for its toxicity as well as for its potential beneficial pharmaceutical effects. Besides the cardiac glycosides with periplocin as its main constituent, the CPP contains different C21-steroidal glycosides such as periplocodides and pregnene derivatives, fatty acids, volatile oils, terpenes, and others.

Higher doses of periplocin are toxic as a cardiac glycoside.

Potential medical applications of periplocin are focused on these areas:
 * Anti-inflammatory effects. Periplocin and its derivatives have shown anti-inflammatory effects.
 * Antitumor activity. A number of in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that periplocin inhibits tumor growth. Studies show both inhibition of growth as well as induction of apoptosis.
 * Cardiotonic activity. Traditional use includes an application for heart failure. Structure and function of cardiac muscle were improved in rats.

Periplocin's metabolites, periplocymarin and periplogenin, have also shown some pharmacological effects.

Potential senolytic activity was suggested by an AI structural analysis of over 4,000 chemicals in 2013.