Alizarin complexone dehydrate is the dihydrate form of Alizarin complexone. Alizarin complexone is a calcium-binding fluorescent dye that stains mineralization areas of bones by binding to calcium crystals. It inhibits reverse transcriptase activity of RAV-2, HIV-1, and RSV with IC50 values of 3.8 μg/mL, 45 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Alizarin complexone also exhibits antiviral properties against HIV-1 and RSV and delays tumor induction by RSV in chickens.

Alizarin complexone inhibits the reverse transcriptase activity of RAV-2, HIV-1, and RSV with IC 50 values of 3.8 μg/mL, 45 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, when used at 0.1% for 1.5-2.5 hours, it stains the mineralized bone matrix in medaka larvae, allowing visualization of vertebral mineralization and evaluation of Bisphosphonate-induced inhibition of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in vitro.

Alizarin complexone, when administered subcutaneously at doses ranging from 3.13 to 200 mg/kg for 6 consecutive days, can delay tumor induction by RSV in 3-day-old SPAFAS chickens, extending the average survival time from 14.0 days to 18.5 days. Additionally, alizarin complexone at a concentration of 0.75 mg/mL in a 10 μL intra-articular injection, can be used to detect increased permeability from joint cartilage to subchondral bone and enhanced periosteal permeability in 11 to 12-week-old male C57BL/6J mice with DMM-induced early osteoarthritis.