Erythromycin thiocyanate is a macrolide antibiotic produced by actinomycete Streptomyces erythreus with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Erythromycin thiocyanate binds to bacterial 50S ribosomal subunits and inhibits RNA-dependent protein synthesis by blockage of transpeptidation and/or translocation reactions, without affecting synthesis of nucleic acid. Erythromycin thiocyanate also exhibits antitumor and neuroprotective effect in different fields of research.