Platycodin D, a triterpenoid saponin, is one the major active components of the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum and possesses multiple biological and pharmacological properties including, anti-nociceptive, anti-atherosclerosis, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, immunoregulatory, hepatoprotective and anti-tumor activities. Platycodin D has been shown to exert anti-tumor activity in various cancer cells without affecting normal cells in various in vitro and in vivo models. Platycodin D has been extensively investigated and found to exhibit significant anti-cancer activity against a wide range of human cancers types both in vitro and in vivo through multiple mechanisms which are considered to be crucial and central to cancer development and metastasis. Apart from in vitro anti-cancer activity of Platycodin D, various tumor models and drug administration routes have been tested for Platycodin D in vivo. Both intraperitoneal, as well as oral administration of Platycodin D, has been shown to exhibit significant anti-tumor activity. Intraperitoneal administration of Platycodin D at a dose of 5 mg/kg bodyweight significantly reduced the volume and size of MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumor.

Saikosaponin A is a triterpene saponin found in Bupleurum that exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuromodulatory, anticancer, and immunosuppressive activities. Saikosaponin A decreases production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-2 and increases mechanical withdrawal thresholds and thermal withdrawal thresholds in animal models of chronic constructive injury. Saikosaponin A also decreases self-administration of cocaine and morphine. In colon carcinoma cells, saikosaponin A causes activation of caspases 2, 3, 8, and 9 and PARP, induces apoptosis, and decreases expression of Bcl-2 and XIAP. Additionally, this compound inhibits the proliferation and activation of ConA-treated T cells, inducing G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest and decreasing expression of TNF-α, IL-2, and IFN-γ.

4’-Hydroxyflavanone is a flavonoid that can be found naturally in parsley, onions, berries, tea, and citrus fruits. 4-Hydroxyflavanone is an inhibitor of SREBP maturation and lipid synthesis, and 4-Hydroxyflavanone may have major potential as a pharmaceutical preparation against hepatic steatosis and dyslipidemia.

Piperic Acid is a metabolite of Piperine. Piperic acid is found in herbs and spices. Piperic acid is obtained from black pepper (Piper nigrum), from Minthostachys verticillata, peppermint (Mentha piperita) and others. Piperic acid is an intermediate in the synthesis of other compounds such as piperonal, and as-such may be used to produce fragrances, perfumes flavorants and drugs as well as other useful compounds. The cytotoxic effects of piperic acid in prostate cancer cells (PC-3) and breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) were studied. The drug treatment experiments clearly indicated that maximum cytotoxicity was achieved at 48 hours and at 100uM concentration of piperic acid in both the cell lines. It is proposed that piperine might get metabolized into piperonylic acid, piperic acid, and piperonal in human as evidenced in rats. Hence, the three derivatives of piperine presented above shall be of therapeutic significance. Piperic Acid has revealed Lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity. The possibility of exploiting the higher LOX inhibitory activity and lower IC50 values of piperine derivatives, piperonal, and piperonylic acid, in various ways for therapeutic applications, especially with fermented herbal drugs containing materials with piperine as a constituent has being suggested.

26-deoxyactein are tetracyclic triterpenoids compound isolated from rhizome of the cimicifuga herbs with a wide range of biological activities including antitumor activity, which is associated with cell cycle arrest and angiogenesis inhibition.

The potential effect of Cimicifugic acid B has being shown in preventing collagen degradation by collagenases or collagenolytic enzymes under pathological conditions, wound healing, or inflammation. Cimicifugic acid B inhibited neutrophil elastase with an IC50 of 11.4 umol/L. Cimicifugic acid B also inhibited HCT116 colon cancer cell growth.

Pentosalen (Imperatorin) is a bioactive furanocoumarin and a phytochemical that has been isolated from Urena lobata L. (Malvaceae), Angelica archangelica, etc. Pentosalen has a wide range of potent pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, antitumor, anticonvulsant, acute neurotoxic effects and abirritation. Pentosalen possesses notable anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and decreasing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase. Pentosalen selectively targets gastric cancer cells without causing much damage to normal cells. Pentosalen was identified from a Bioactive Molecules library in a high throughput screening experiment for inhibitors of the phosphodiesterase PDE4. It displays a significant preference for PDE4Bover PDE4A.

Heptadecenoic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid. Heptadecenoic acid (17:1) is a minor constituent of ruminant fats. It has possible antitumor activity. Heptadecenoic acid is used in lipid studies and biological systems.

Pseudohypericin is a predominant naphthodianthrone from St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) phytomedicinal drug. It has been shown to specifically inhibit protein kinase C and dopamine-β-hydroxylase. Also, pseudohypericin induces apoptosis and selectively antagonizes corticotropin-releasing factor in murine models. Inhibition of thioredoxin system by pseudohypericin showed appreciable anticancer properties of this natural compound. Pseudohypericin has antiretroviral activity, it has potential therapeutic value in diseases such as AIDS. Pseudohypericin is implicated in the antidepressant efficacy of St. John's wort.

Cynaropicrin is a sesquiterpene lactone, which has been shown to possess various biological activities and has demonstrated extraordinary pharmacologic properties. Cynaropicrin has multi-medicinal potential therapeutics evidenced not just by the scientific literature describing it, but also by the plenty number of patent applications. Cynaropicrin was found to suppress hyperlipidemia, so as it is a potent antioxidant and hence; it can play a supportive role for liver in different hepatic diseases. The mode of action in case of HCV infection occurred during the early steps of the HCV life cycle, including cell-free and cell-cell infection inhibition. Cynaropicrin may serve as a potential drug lead for treatment or prevention of human cancers. Cynaropicrin is a potent, irreversible inhibitor of the bacterial enzyme MurA (covalently binds to the thiol group of Cys115 through Michael addition reaction). MurA is important for bacterial cells since this enzyme is responsible for the first step in the cytoplasmic biosynthesis of peptidoglycan precursor molecules. Cynaropicrin possesses a marked effect on mucosal injuries, preventing acute gastritis.