Cycloheximide (Actidione) is an antibiotic which inhibits eukaryotic protein synthesis. Although many yeasts including Saccharomyces cerevisiae are sensitive to cycloheximide, some yeast strains are resistant to this drug.

It has been shown that cycloheximide (CHM), a well-known protein synthesis inhibitor, reduces Cytotoxicity induced by 1-B-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, nitrogen mustard, or X-irradiation in normal cells, such as small intestine or bone marrow cells.

Cycloheximide (CHX) can contribute to apoptotic processes, either in conjunction with another agent (e.g. tumor necrosis factor-α) or on its own. The apoptotic process is now known to involve the well orchestrated interactions of cell death receptors, death receptor adaptors, caspases, and Bcl-2 family members.