Biochem/physiol Actions

It is a component of mylabris, a traditional Chinese medicine. Cantharidin exhibits anti-tumor activity. In addition, cantharidin can work against multidrug-resistant cells. In the epidermis, it causes release of neutral serine proteases, leading to degeneration of the desmosmal plaque. This results in acantholysis and intraepidermal blistering as well as skin lysis. PP2A is involved in the cell cycle, cell death, growth and cell-fate determination.

Cantharidin inhibits protein phosphatase 2A.

Other Notes

Stable for at least two years at 2-8° C.