Sanguinarine (gluconate) is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid derived from the root of Sanguinaria canadensis. It activates reactive oxygen species (ROS), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathways to induce apoptosis in head and neck tumor cells and animal models. It also exhibits potent anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.