Shikonin inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and controls inflammatory disease.

Summary: Imagine your body has a tiny alarm system that causes swelling and pain when it misfires. This alarm is called the NLRP3 inflammasome. Scientists have discovered that a natural plant extract called Shikonin can turn off this broken alarm. It works by stopping the alarm's parts from snapping together and by cleaning up harmful waste inside your cells. In tests on mice with severe swelling in their guts and bodies, Shikonin worked great to calm the swelling down. This means this natural plant extract could be a promising new treatment for diseases caused by too much inflammation.