This compound inhibits the enzyme protein kinase. It has been shown to inhibit the activity of a number of protein kinases including those that are involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. This drug is also known to be a potent inhibitor of human c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and other types of kinases such as cyclin-dependent protein kinases. The inhibition of these enzymes results in the prevention of tumorigenesis, inflammation and immunological responses.