A Brief Review on Pharmacological Efficacy of Chelidonic Acid
Abstract
Chelidonic acid is a naturally occurring plant-based bioactive compound that has received significant attention due to its diverse biological and pharmacological properties. This current review broadly covers its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, nephroprotective and regenerative properties. Chelidonic acid mitigates oxidative stress by modulating key signaling pathways and improving endogenous antioxidant defenses. It downregulates the inflammatory pathways by suppressing the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. It also protects chemotherapy-induced toxicities and stimulates hematopoiesis as well. These chelidonic acid effects could be considered for treating various disorders such as cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, immunological and other related inflammatory diseases. Despite its favorable safety profile, more preclinical and clinical studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and therapeutic potential. Due to its promising properties, chelidonic acid could be considered as a natural alternative for the treatment of several disorders.
Keywords: Chelidonic acid; Antioxidant; Inflammation; Cancer; Cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords:
Chelidonic acid, Antioxidant, Inflammation, Cancer, Cardiovascular diseasesDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v15i9.7352References
1. Chaachouay N, Zidane L. Plant-derived natural products: a source for drug discovery and development. Drugs and Drug Candidates. 2024;3(1):184-207. https://doi.org/10.3390/ddc3010011
2. Riaz M, Khalid R, Afzal M, Anjum F, Fatima H, Zia S, Rasool G, Egbuna C, Mtewa AG, Uche CZ, Aslam MA. Phytobioactive compounds as therapeutic agents for human diseases: A review. Food SciNutr. 2023;11(6):2500-2529. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10261751/
3. Chihomvu P, Ganesan A, Gibbons S, Woollard K, Hayes MA. Phytochemicals in Drug Discovery-A Confluence of Tradition and Innovation. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(16):8792. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168792
4. Dzobo K. The Role of Natural Products as Sources of Therapeutic Agents for Innovative Drug Discovery. Comprehensive Pharmacology. 2022; 408–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820472-6.00041-4
5. Li XL, Sun YP, Wang M, Wang ZB, Kuang HX. Alkaloids in Chelidoniummajus L: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Front Pharmacol. 2024;15:1440979. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1440979
6. Rahmonov O, Środek D, Pytel S, Kupka T, Makieieva N. Mineral Composition of Chelidoniummajus L. and Soils in Urban Areas. Applied Sciences. 2025;15(9):4718. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094718
7. Makieieva N, Kupka T, Spaleniak G, Rahmonov O, Marek A, Błażytko A, Stobiński L, Stadnytska N, Pentak D, Buczek A, Broda MA. Experimental and theoretical characterization of chelidonic acid structure. Structural Chemistry. 2022;33(6):2133-45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11224-022-02026-7
8. Bough WA, Gander JE. Isolation and characterization of chelidonic acid from Sorghum vulgare. Phytochemistry. 1972;11(1):209-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89991-4
9. Selegato DM, Monteiro AF, Vieira NC, Cardoso P, Pavani VD, Bolzani VS, Castro-Gamboa I. Update: Biological and chemical aspects of Senna spectabilis. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society. 2017;28:415-26. https://doi.org/10.21577/0103-5053.20160322
10. Mallaiah BV, kumar KA, sarma PN, srimannarayana G. Isolation and antiallergic activity of-γ-pyrones from the flowers of cassia spectablis. Current Science. 1984;53(1):33-4. https://www.jstor.org/stable/i24084426
11. Khan H, Khan MA, Mahmood T, Choudhary MI. Antimicrobial activities of Gloriosasuperba Linn (Colchicaceae) extracts. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2008;23(6):855-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/14756360701747409
12. Peele, Abraham &Mikkili, Indira &Siby, Liya& G, Pallavi&Lavanya, D. &Krupanidhi, S. &Vekateswarulu, T.C &VidyaPrabhakar, Kodali. Phytochemical and Bioactive Potential of GloriosaSuperbaL. 2023. 10.1201/9781003284468-31.
13. Khairnar SI, Kulkarni YA, Singh K. Cardioprotective effect of chelidonic acid against doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity in rats. Rev Port Cardiol. 2025;44(3):141-153. English, Portuguese. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.repc.2024.06.003
14. Khairnar SI, Kulkarni YA, Singh K. Mitigation of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by chelidonic acid in Wistar rats. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2024;81:127321.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127321
15. Khairnar SI, Kulkarni YA, Singh K. Neuroprotective effect of chelidonic acid through oxidative stress reduction in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in rats. NaunynSchmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2025;398(4):4435-4447. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154926
16. Singh DK, Gulati K, Ray A. Effects of chelidonic acid, a secondary plant metabolite, on mast cell degranulation and adaptive immunity in rats. IntImmunopharmacol. 2016;40:229-234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2016.08.009
17. Avdeeva E, Shults E, Rybalova T, Reshetov Y, Porokhova E, Sukhodolo I, Litvinova L, Shupletsova V, Khaziakhmatova O, Khlusov I, Guryev A, Belousov M. Chelidonic Acid and Its Derivatives from SaussureaControversa: Isolation, Structural Elucidation and Influence on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells In Vitro. Biomolecules. 2019; 16;9(5):189. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom9050189
18. Pizzino G, Irrera N, Cucinotta M, Pallio G, Mannino F, Arcoraci V, Squadrito F, Altavilla D, Bitto A. Oxidative Stress: Harms and Benefits for Human Health. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8416763. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8416763
19. Dash UC, Bhol NK, Swain SK, Samal RR, Nayak PK, Raina V, Panda SK, Kerry RG, Duttaroy AK, Jena AB. Oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders: Mechanisms and implications. Acta Pharm Sin B. 2025;15(1):15-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2024.10.004
20. Sinan FN, SerdaroğluKaşikçi E, Çevreli B. Chelidonic acid abrogates oxidative stress and memory dysfunction in experimental aging rats. Turk J Biol. 2024;48(6):432-441. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0152.2717
21. Oh HA, Kim HM, Jeong HJ. Beneficial effects of chelidonic acid on a model of allergic rhinitis. IntImmunopharmacol. 2011;11(1):39-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2010.10.002
22. Jeong HJ, Yang SY, Kim HY, Kim NR, Jang JB, Kim HM. Chelidonic acid evokes antidepressant-like effect through the up-regulation of BDNF in forced swimming test. ExpBiol Med (Maywood). 2016;241(14):1559-67.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4994898/
23. Kim DS, Kim SJ, Kim MC, Jeon YD, Um JY, Hong SH. The therapeutic effect of chelidonic acid on ulcerative colitis. Biol Pharm Bull. 2012;35(5):666-71. https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.35.666
24. Turkoglu B, Mansuroglu B. Investigating the Effects of Chelidonic Acid on Oxidative Stress-Induced Premature Cellular Senescence in Human Skin Fibroblast Cells. Life (Basel). 2024;14(9):1070. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14091070
25. Nasibov T, Gorokhova A, Porokhova E, Shupletsova V, Yurova K, Avdeeva E, Bariev U, Litvinova L, Belousov M, Khlusov I. A hypothesis of mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic differentiation mediated by chelidonic acid through the calcium import: original research and computer simulation. Histochem Cell Biol. 2024;163(1):14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-024-02342-5
26. Khairnar SI, Kulkarni YA, Murugesan S, Singh K. Effects of Acute and Repeated Dose Toxicity Profiling of Chelidonic Acid in Rats: in Silico and in Vivo Evidence. ChemBiodivers. 2023;20(12):e202301241. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202301241
27. Rehman MHU, Saleem U, Ahmad B, Rashid M. Phytochemical and toxicological evaluation of Zephyranthescitrina. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:1007310 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1007310
28. Škubník J, Pavlíčková V, Ruml T, Rimpelová S. Current Perspectives on Taxanes: Focus on Their Bioactivity, Delivery and Combination Therapy. Plants (Basel). 2021;10(3):569. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10030569
29. Rawat PS, Jaiswal A, Khurana A, Bhatti JS, Navik U. Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: An update on the molecular mechanism and novel therapeutic strategies for effective management. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;139:111708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111708
30. Hosseini A, Ghorbani A. Cancer therapy with phytochemicals: evidence from clinical studies. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2015;5(2):84-97. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4418057/
31. McSweeney KR, Gadanec LK, Qaradakhi T, Ali BA, Zulli A, Apostolopoulos V. Mechanisms of Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: Pathological Mechanisms, Pharmacological Interventions and Genetic Mitigations. Cancers (Basel). 2021;13(7):1572. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13071572
32. Tienda-Vázquez MA, Morreeuw ZP, Sosa-Hernández JE, Cardador-Martínez A, Sabath E, Melchor-Martínez EM, Iqbal HMN, Parra-Saldívar R. Nephroprotective Plants: A Review on the Use in Pre-Renal and Post-Renal Diseases. Plants (Basel). 2022 18;11(6):818. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8955229/
33. Radhakrishnan J, Kennedy BE, Noftall EB, Giacomantonio CA, Rupasinghe HPV. Recent Advances in Phytochemical-Based Topical Applications for the Management of Eczema: A Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(10):5375. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105375
34. Kim SJ, Kim DS, Lee SH, Ahn EM, Kee JY, Hong SH. Chelidonic acid ameliorates atopic dermatitis symptoms through suppression the inflammatory mediators in in vivo and in vitro. Applied Biological Chemistry. 2023;66(1):12.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13765-022-00763-1
35. Maldonado E, Morales-Pison S, Urbina F, Solari A. Aging Hallmarks and the Role of Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(3):651. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12030651
36. Liu HM, Cheng MY, Xun MH, Zhao ZW, Zhang Y, Tang W, Cheng J, Ni J, Wang W. Possible Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress-Induced Skin Cellular Senescence, Inflammation and Cancer and the Therapeutic Potential of Plant Polyphenols. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(4):3755. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043755
37. Zhao R, Wang J, Chung SK, Xu B. New insights into anti-depression effects of bioactive phytochemicals. Pharmacol Res. 2025;212:107566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107566
38. Yan B, Chen X, Wang Y, Yuan M, Xian J, Lu D, Shao Z, Qiu M, Fu T, Zheng X. Chlorella pyrenoidosa ameliorates ulcerative colitis by tuning intestinal microecology: Butyric acid is a crucial player. Journal of Functional Foods. 2024 Oct 1;121:106414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2024.106414
39. Ghasemi-Dehnoo M, Lorigooini Z, Amini-Khoei H, Sabzevary-Ghahfarokhi M, Rafieian-Kopaei M. Quinic acid ameliorates ulcerative colitis in rats, through the inhibition of two TLR4-NF-κB and NF-κB-INOS-NO signaling pathways. ImmunInflamm Dis. 2023;11(8):e926. https://doi.org/10.1002/iid3.926
40. Gohal G, Moni SS, Bakkari MA, Elmobark ME. A Review on Asthma and Allergy: Current Understanding on Molecular Perspectives. J Clin Med. 2024;13(19):5775. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13195775
41. Wang J, Zhou Y, Zhang H, Hu L, Liu J, Wang L, Wang T, Zhang H, Cong L, Wang Q. Pathogenesis of allergic diseases and implications for therapeutic interventions. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2023;8(1):138.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-023-01344-4
42. Yap HY, Tee SZ, Wong MM, Chow SK, Peh SC, Teow SY. Pathogenic Role of Immune Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Implications in Clinical Treatment and Biomarker Development. Cells. 2018;7(10):161. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells7100161
43. Shin HJ, Kim HL, Kim SJ, Chung WS, Kim SS, Um JY. Inhibitory effects of chelidonic acid on IL-6 production by blocking NF-κB and caspase-1 in HMC-1 cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2011;33(4):614-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21320026/
44. Lynch WD, Hsu R. Ulcerative Colitis. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459282/
Published
Abstract Display: 413 
PDF Downloads: 417 PDF Downloads: 48 How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2025 Krishnan Harish, S M Sivasankaran , S Manoharan , S M Sakthisankaran
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
How to Cite
.