Methyl 5'-(hydroxymethyl)-7,7'-dimethoxy-[4,4'-bibenzo[d][1,3]dioxole]-5-carboxylate

Bicyclol is a hepatoprotective agent. It has antiviral activity against hepatitis B (HBV), reducing viral DNA and the secretion of the HBV antigens HBsAg and HBeAg by 59 and 35%, respectively, in infected 2.2.15 HepG2 cells. In vivo, bicyclol reduces duck HBV (DHBV) DNA in DHBV-infected ducks at doses ≥0.4 g/kg. It also reduces the expression of TNF-α and the accumulation of lymphocytes in the liver in a mouse model of liver injury induced by concanavalin A . Oral administration of bicyclol prior to injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and phenobarbital (PB; Item Nos. 9001494 | 20987) prevents formation of DEN/PB-induced hepatocellular carcinomas. It also reduces liver fibrosis in a rat model of bile duct ligation-induced hepatic fibrosis.

Bicyclol is a novel hepatoprotectant shown to protect against liver injury by inducing Hsps, including Hsp27 and Hsp 70; Anti-inflammatory activity.