# Rapanone **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/rapanone **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-29 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Compound **Also Known As:** Ardisia crenata benzoquinone, White-berry rapanone, Natural benzoquinone from Ardisia, Rapanone extract, Ardisia benzoquinone compound ## Overview Rapanone is a phenolic compound that exhibits potent cytotoxic effects against multiple cancer cell lines with IC50 values below 10 μg/mL. The compound induces cancer cell death through [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) respiration inhibition, ATP depletion, and subsequent apoptosis activation. ## Health Benefits • Exhibits cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines, including prostate, [thyroid](/ingredients/condition/hormonal), and colorectal cancers, with IC50 values below 10 μg/mL [1]. • Induces apoptosis in cancer cells through [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) respiration inhibition and ATP depletion [3]. • Demonstrates antiplatelet activity comparable to embelin, reducing platelet aggregation in ex vivo studies [4]. • Provides vasorelaxant effects mediated through nitric oxide pathways in animal models [4]. • Inhibits metastatic regulator BACH1 in breast cancer cells, potentially reducing metastasis [2]. ## Mechanism of Action Rapanone disrupts [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) respiration by interfering with the electron transport chain, leading to severe ATP depletion in cancer cells. This energy crisis triggers the intrinsic apoptotic pathway through cytochrome c release and caspase activation. Additionally, rapanone demonstrates antiplatelet activity by inhibiting platelet aggregation pathways. ## Clinical Summary Preclinical studies demonstrate rapanone's cytotoxic activity against prostate, [thyroid](/ingredients/condition/hormonal), and colorectal cancer cell lines with IC50 values consistently below 10 μg/mL. In vitro experiments show significant apoptosis induction within 24-48 hours of treatment through [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) dysfunction. Antiplatelet studies indicate comparable activity to standard antiplatelet agents in laboratory models. However, human clinical trials are lacking, and safety profiles in humans remain undetermined. ## Nutritional Profile Rapanone (5-pentadecyl-2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone; CAS: 491-40-7) is a naturally occurring alkyl benzoquinone compound, not a conventional food ingredient, and therefore has no macronutrient, micronutrient, vitamin, mineral, or fiber profile. It is a pure bioactive secondary metabolite with a molecular weight of 320.47 g/mol and molecular formula C21H32O3. As a lipophilic quinone compound, it contains a 1,4-benzoquinone core ring with a C15 alkyl side chain (pentadecyl group), structurally analogous to embelin and other alkylbenzoquinones. Its primary bioactive constituents are the quinone moiety responsible for redox activity and the long-chain alkyl group conferring lipophilicity (logP estimated >6), which significantly influences membrane permeability and bioavailability. Bioavailability is expected to be limited by poor aqueous solubility due to its highly lipophilic nature; absorption likely occurs via passive diffusion through lipid membranes. It is found in plant sources such as Rapanea species (Myrsinaceae family) and Embelia ribes. No caloric value, protein, carbohydrate, fat, or micronutrient content is applicable. Concentrations in plant material are typically in the range of trace to low milligram-per-gram quantities of dry extract, with reported IC50 bioactivity values below 10 μg/mL in in vitro systems. ## Dosage & Preparation Preclinical in vitro studies used dosages ranging from 5-40 μM (approximately 1.4-11.2 μg/mL) for cytotoxicity. No standardized human dosages are available. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Safety data for rapanone in humans is extremely limited due to lack of clinical trials. Potential interactions with antiplatelet medications like aspirin or warfarin may increase bleeding risk given its antiplatelet activity. The compound's effects on [mitochondrial function](/ingredients/condition/energy) raise concerns about potential cardiac or neurological toxicity. Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety is unknown and should be avoided. ## Scientific Research No human clinical trials or meta-analyses were identified for rapanone. Current evidence is limited to preclinical in vitro and ex vivo studies, such as PMID 36432013 on extraction and cytotoxicity, and PMID 37747058 on BACH1 inhibition. ## Historical & Cultural Context Rapanone does not have specific traditional or historical medicinal uses noted in the sources. Its discovery and application focus on modern scientific research for antifungal, [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and anticancer properties. ## Synergistic Combinations Embelin, Resveratrol, Curcumin, Quercetin, Green Tea Extract ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What types of cancer does rapanone work against? Laboratory studies show rapanone exhibits cytotoxic effects against prostate, thyroid, and colorectal cancer cell lines. The IC50 values are consistently below 10 μg/mL across these cancer types, indicating potent anticancer activity. ### How does rapanone kill cancer cells? Rapanone induces cancer cell death by disrupting mitochondrial respiration and depleting cellular ATP. This energy crisis triggers the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, leading to programmed cell death within 24-48 hours of treatment. ### Can rapanone be used as a blood thinner? Rapanone demonstrates antiplatelet activity in laboratory studies, showing effects comparable to standard antiplatelet agents. However, human clinical data is lacking, and it should not be used as a blood thinner without medical supervision. ### What is the effective dosage of rapanone? In vitro studies show cytotoxic effects at concentrations below 10 μg/mL. However, no human dosage guidelines exist since rapanone has not undergone clinical trials for safety or efficacy determination. ### Is rapanone safe to take with heart medications? Rapanone may interact dangerously with antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications due to its antiplatelet effects, potentially increasing bleeding risk. Its mitochondrial effects could also interfere with cardiac medications, making medical consultation essential. ### What is the natural source of rapanone and where is it found? Rapanone is a bioactive compound isolated from plants in the Hypericum and related genera, particularly studied from traditional medicinal species. It is not commonly available as a food source and is primarily obtained through botanical extraction for research and supplement purposes. The compound's scarcity in nature makes supplemental forms the primary way to obtain therapeutic amounts. ### How does rapanone compare to other natural antiplatelet compounds in terms of effectiveness? Rapanone demonstrates antiplatelet activity comparable to embelin, another natural bioactive compound, as shown in ex vivo platelet aggregation studies. Unlike pharmaceutical antiplatelet agents, rapanone works through natural mechanisms of action with potentially fewer side effects, though human clinical data remains limited. Its vasorelaxant properties provide additional cardiovascular benefits beyond antiplatelet activity alone. ### Is rapanone suitable for individuals with mitochondrial or metabolic concerns? Rapanone's mechanism of action involves mitochondrial respiration inhibition, which is beneficial for triggering apoptosis in cancer cells but may warrant caution in individuals with pre-existing mitochondrial dysfunction or metabolic disorders. Patients with conditions affecting cellular energy production should consult healthcare providers before use, as the compound's ATP-depleting effects could theoretically impact normal cell function. Current research has not specifically assessed safety in populations with mitochondrial disease. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*