Natural bicyclic sesquiterpenes, β‐caryophyllene (BCP) and β‐caryophyllene oxide (BCPO), are present in a large number of plants worldwide. Both BCP and BCPO possess significant anticancer activities, affecting growth and proliferation of numerous cancer cells. BCP is a phytocannabinoid with strong affinity to cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2 ), but not cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1 ). In opposite, BCP oxidation derivative, BCPO, does not exhibit CB1/2 binding, thus the mechanism of its action is not related to endocannabinoid system (ECS) machinery. It is known that BCPO alters several key pathways for cancer development, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), PI3K/AKT/mTOR/S6K1 and STAT3 pathways. In addition, treatment with this compound reduces the expression of procancer genes/proteins, while increases the levels of those with proapoptotic properties. Either as a pure substance or a component of plant essential oils, BCPO was found to exhibit antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, and analgesic properties. β-caryophyllene oxide evidenced potent cytotoxic activity against HepG2, AGS, HeLa, SNU-1, and SNU-16 cells, with IC50 values of 3.95, 12.6, 13.55, 16.79, and 27.39 uM, respectively.

Thymidine is a water-soluble pyrimidine deoxynucleoside and potent thymidine kinase substrate. Thymidine is known to be converted to dTTP and utilized for DNA synthesis. It is also known that thymidine is converted by catabolic enzymes to several end products. Excess thymidine results in high levels of dTTP, which exerts a regulatory feedback inhibition in the nucleotide biosynthesis pathways leading to DNA synthesis. This property of thymidine is used when it is given in high doses to patients with solid tumors. Thymidine is being tested in Phase II of clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and 5'-Nucleotidase Syndrome.

Crocin is the chemical constituent isolated from the Saffron, the dried trifid stigma of the plant Crocus sativus L. and also from the fruits of Gardenia(Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) Of the carotenoids present in saffron, highly water-soluble crocin (mono and diglycosyl esters of a polyene dicarboxylic acid, named crocetin) is responsible for the majority of its color, and appears to possess various health-promoting properties, as an antioxidant, antitumor, memory enhancer, antidepressant, anxiolytic and aphrodisiac. It is also worth noting that the crocin principle of saffron exhibited high efficacy along with no major toxicity in experimental models. A proteomic study revealed that crocin physically binds to a wide range of cellular proteins such as structural proteins, membrane transporters, and enzymes involved in ATP and redox homeostasis and signal transduction. CROCIN RICH products provide highly purified natural crocin as dietary supplements, they are the purest and most effective formulation of crocin available.

Dihydrocapsaicin is a capsaicinoid and analog and congener of capsaicin in chili peppers. Like capsaicin, it contributes to the spicy taste of chili peppers, although it is less potent than capsacian. Dihydrocapsaicin has been shown to induce hypothermia in rats, a property which may help protect victims of stroke and cardiac arrest.

4-n-octylphenol is alkylphenol widely used as a surfactant. 4-n-octylphenol exposure was associated with idiopathic male infertility. Fetal exposure to the very weak estrogenicity of 4-n-octylphenol could enhance the induction of mammary carcinomas but not affect the induction of benign proliferative lesions. It is an endocrine-disrupting chemical. 4-n-octylphenol is an agonist and antagonist of estrogen receptor and androgen receptor, respectively. 4-n-octylphenol at high doses caused reduction in mammary tumor development in female human c-Ha-ras proto-oncogene transgenic rats and possibly non-transgenic rats.

1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)decan-3-one (Paradol, 6-paradol ), a major constituent of A. melegueta seeds, exhibited potent proliferative and ossification characteristics in bone cells. It enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and vitamin D content and decreased the osteoporotic marker acid phosphatase. Paradol enhanced the expression of osteocyte and osteoblast-related genes and inhibited osteoclast and RUNX suppressor genes. Paradols are unsaturated ketones produced by biotransformation of shogaols in gingers. Among them, 6-paradol has been investigated as a new drug candidate due to its anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, and neuroprotective activities. 6-paradol exhibited a significant glucose-lowering effect and decreased body weight. 6-paradol possesses good anti-hyperglycemic activity, therefore it may serve as a novel target for the development of anti-obesity and anti-hyperglycemic functional food. 6-paradol effectively protects brain after cerebral ischemia, likely by attenuating neuroinflammation in microglia, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic agent to treat cerebral ischemia.

Macelignan is a neuroprotective lingan isolated from nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) that protects dopaminergic neurons from inflammatory degeneration. Macelignans have been shown to possess a broad range of pharmacological properties, including anti-bacterial, antiinflammatory, and anti-cancer activity. It has also been demonstrated that macelignans have anti-diabetes, hepatoprotective, and more importantly, neuroprotective properties. Apparently, the neuroprotective effect of macelignan is mediated by PPARγ activation and arginase-1 expression. Macelignan inhibits LPS induced production of NO as well and inflammatory cytokines including TNF and IL- 1β in primary cultures of microglia. Macelignan reduced serum glucose, insulin, triglycerides, free fatty acid levels, and triglycerides levels in the skeletal muscle and liver of db/db mice. Furthermore, macelignan significantly improved glucose and insulin tolerance in these mice, and without altering food intake, their body weights were slightly reduced while weights of troglitazone-treated mice increased. Macelignan increased adiponectin expression in adipose tissue and serum, whereas the expression and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 decreased. Macelignan downregulated inflammatory gene expression in the liver and increased AMP-activated protein kinase activation in the skeletal muscle of db/db mice. Strikingly, macelignan reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation in the liver and adipose tissue of db/db mice and subsequently increased insulin signaling.

Since its first isolation in 1844, usnic acid has become the most extensively studied lichen metabolite and one of the few that are commercially available. Lichens belonging to usnic acid-containing genera have been used as crude drugs throughout the world. There are indications of usnic acid being a potentially interesting candidate for such activities as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, healing, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antiviral, larvicidal and UV protection. However, some studies reported the liver toxicity and contact allergy. Usnic acid reduced the production of Junin virus in infected Vero cells in a dependent dose manner, and 50% inhibition was obtained at an effective concentration (EC50) of 9.9 µM. Regarding the TCRV arenavirus, the effective concentration was 20.6 uM. The selectivity indexes (CC50/EC50) of usnic acid for JUNV and TCRV arenavirus were 6.8 and 3.2, respectively, indicating a specific antiviral activity against these viruses and not just a general consequence of its action on cellular toxicity.

Myricetin is a member of the flavonoid class of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. It occurs naturally in a wide variety of plants. Myricetin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-non-enzymatic glycation and anti-hyperlipidemia in a number of cellular and animal models. It has been investigated for potential therapeutic effects against cancers and diabetes.

Stevioside is an ent-kaurene type diterpenoid glycoside isolated from leaves of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni, a perennial herb of the asteraceae (compositae) family. Stevioside and related compounds are responsible for the sweet taste of Stevia leaves. Stevioside is an intense sweetener and the extract of its source (S. rebaudiana) finds extensive use in countries like Japan, China, Russia, Korea, Paraguay, Argentina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and others, to sweeten local teas, medicines, food, and beverages. Stevia leaves are also in use for their medicinal benefits in hypertension, obesity, topical dressing for wounds, and other skin disorders. Oral stevioside is not taken up by the human body (or the uptake is extremely low) and none of the digestive enzymes from the gastro-intestinal tract of different animals and human body are able to degrade stevioside into steviol. A number of studies have suggested that, beside sweetness, stevioside along with related compounds, which include rebaudioside A, steviol and isosteviol may also offer therapeutic benefits, as they have anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-diarrheal, diuretic, and immunomodulatory actions.