Withaferin A

Withaferin A is a steroidal lactone isolated from Withania somnifera, inhibits NF-kB activation and targets vimentin, with potent antiinflammatory and anticancer activities. Withaferin A is an inhibitor of endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) shedding. IC50 & Target:NF-kB^[1], vimentin^[2] In Vitro: Withaferin A has antiinflammatory activity, and potently inhibits NF-kB activation by preventing the TNF-induced activation of Ik-B kinase beta via a thioalkylation-sensitive redox mechanism^[1].
Withaferin A also has anticancer activity. Withaferin A targets the IF protein vimentin, causes aggregation of vimentin filaments in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) at 3 μM, and induces vimentin fragmentation in endothelial cells at 10 μM^[2].
Withaferin A (0.5, 1.5 μM) alone or incombination with cisplatin (CIS) dose-dependently reduces tumorigenic potential of ALDH1 positive cancer stem cells (CSCs)^[3]. In Vivo: Withaferin A (2 mg/kg, i.p.) shows potent angiogenesis inhibitory activity via vimentin in mice^[2]. Withaferin A (2 mg/kg) combined with cisplatin (CIS) regulates the expression of ALDH1 marker, and downregulates the expression of securin in tumors collected from mice^[3].