A Comprehensive Monograph on Butylphthalide (DB12749): From Celery Seed to Neuroprotective Agent

I. Executive Summary

Butylphthalide, also known by the abbreviation NBP, is a small molecule compound with the DrugBank accession number DB12749. Originally identified and isolated from the seeds of celery (Apium graveolens), it has been synthetically developed into a significant therapeutic agent, particularly in the field of neuropharmacology.[1] This report provides an exhaustive analysis of its chemical properties, complex pharmacology, clinical applications, safety profile, and global regulatory status.

The pharmacological profile of Butylphthalide is uniquely characterized by its pleiotropic, multi-target mechanism of action. Unlike many pharmaceuticals that act on a single receptor or enzyme, Butylphthalide exerts its neuroprotective effects by concurrently modulating several key pathophysiological pathways implicated in ischemic and neurodegenerative damage. Its core mechanisms include the reconstruction of cerebral microcirculation, protection of mitochondrial function against ischemic stress, and potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic activities.[4] This multifaceted approach is believed to be central to its clinical efficacy in complex neurological disorders.