Carboxyatractyloside tripotassium is a diterpenoid that can be isolated from plants of the genus Xanthium. It functions as an ADP/ATP carrier inhibitor, specifically inhibiting mitochondrial ADP/ATP transport. This compound promotes ROS production, induces Ca2+ release, and leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, and has been observed to induce lethargy, weakness, and epileptic seizures in rats.
- Promotes cell death in primary mouse lung endothelial cells.
- Exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction, including depolarization, increased ROS generation, and MPT pore opening.
- Induces Ca2+ release, mitochondrial swelling, and membrane potential collapse in aged rat liver mitochondria.
- Causes histopathological damage to the liver and kidneys, including vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes and renal tubular necrosis.