Natural fluorescent dye, used in histology for staining heparin in mast cells. An isoquinoline alkaloid, which shows antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antiviral and anticancer activity. It inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines. Broad spectrum enzyme inhibitor, affects N-acetyltransferase, cyclooxygenase-2, and topoisomerase activities and gene/protein expression. Increases adiponectin expression, upregulates LDLR and insulin receptor. Anti-hyperglycemic, by inhibition of aldose reductase, inducing glycolysis, preventing insulin resistance through increasing insulin receptor expression and acting like incretins. Activates AMPK and ERK. Potent, uncompetitive, reversible IDO 1 inhibitor with IC50 values of 7 µM (cell-based assay) and 9.3 µM (enzymatic assay), and Ki value 8µM.