Justicidin B

Justicidin B is a potent anticancer lignan and proapoptotic agent. Justicidin B is also a bone resorption inhibitor, and has strong antiviral, fungicidal, antiprotozoal effects. Justicidin B significantly inhibits platelet aggregation.

Justicidin B inhibits the growth of the pathogenic fungi Aspergillus fumigatus (MIC ≥ 1 μg/mL), Aspergillus flavus (MIC ≥ 12 μg/mL), and Candida albicans (MIC ≥ 4 μg/mL), but is not effective against Cryptococcus neoformans and Blastoschizomyces capitatus^[1].
Justicidin B also exhibits strong activity against the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (IC₅₀ = 0.2 μg/mL) and moderate activity against Trypanosoma cruzi (IC₅₀0 = 2.6 μg/mL)^[1].
Justicidin B shows cytotoxic activity and induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer derived cell lines. The 24 h treatment of both cell lines increased the level of apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Exposure of MDA-MB-231 cells with Justicidin B leads to concentration dependent decrease in the expression of NFkB; whereas the treatment of MCF-7, is consistent with strong increase in the expression of this transcription factor^[2].

References:
[1]. Jürg Gertsch, et al. Antifungal, antiprotozoal, cytotoxic and piscicidal properties of Justicidin B and a new arylnaphthalide lignan from Phyllanthus piscatorum. Planta Med. 2003 May;69(5):420-4.
[2]. G Momekov, et al. Effect of justicidin B - a potent cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic arylnaphtalene lignan on human breast cancer-derived cell lines. Neoplasma. 2011;58(4):320-5.
[3]. Iliana Ionkova, et al. Linum narbonense: A new valuable tool for biotechnological production of a potent anticancer lignan Justicidine B. Pharmacogn Mag. 2013 Jan;9(33):39-44.