Absinthin is a triterpene, extracted from a Chinese herb, with anti-inflammatory properties.Absinthin is a naturally produced molecule from the plant Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood). It constitutes one of the most bitter chemical agents responsible for Absinthe's distinct taste. Absinthin attenuates LPS-induced ALI through MIP-1α-mediated inflammatory cell infiltration. Absinthin is a promising novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of ALI.

Gliotoxin is a potent crystalline antibiotic substance produced during the growth of the imperfect fungus Gliocladium jimbriatum. It is a natural mycotoxin with immunosuppressive and antimicrobial activity. Gliotoxin acts as NOTCH2 transactivation inhibitor in human neoplasias. It induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in multiple colorectal cancer cell lines with mutations of the Wnt signaling pathway. Gliotoxin stimulates the apoptosis of human and rat hepatic stellate cells and enhances the resolution of liver fibrosis in rats. Gliotoxin is a dual inhibitor of farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase I with pronounced antitumor activity and favorable toxicity profile against breast cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Actein is tetracyclic triterpenoid compound isolated from the rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida L. In North America, the cimicifuga species had a long medicinal history, mainly used to treat diarrhea, sore throat, and rheumatism. Actein inhibits the activity of the Na,K-ATPase, which affects calcium metabolism. The primary target of actein may relate to calcium metabolism since this agent altered the expression of several genes related to calcium. Although actein was shown to exhibit other pathological functions, such as prevention of oxidative damage to osteoblast and regulation of lipid disorder, the major role of actein is played on its anticancer activity, particularly in breast cancer.

Gitoxigenin is a 16β-substituted digitoxigenin which may act as a Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor. Cardiac glycosides (CGs), inhibitors of Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA), used clinically to treat heart failure, have garnered recent attention as potential anti-cancer and anti-viral agents. A high-throughput phenotypic screen designed to identify modulators of promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) nuclear body (NB) formation revealed the CG gitoxigenin as a potent activator of PML.

Friedelin is a natural compound with promising proprieties. On its own or with chemical modification it is possible to introduce relevant biological activities, e.g. anti-cancer, anti-aging and agrochemical. Its availability in significant amounts has been a major drawback on its regular use and in the pursuit of different applications. Cork and cork-derived materials (e.g. black condensate) are the most relevant sources of Friedelin in nature (up to 10% in concentration). Friedelin has being shown to possess marked antioxidant and liver protective effects. Friedelin has also being demonstrated to possess potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities.