Hordenine is a natural Phenethylamine compound that occurs in a number of different plants, but especially barley grass. It is structurally similar to the amino acid Tyramine. It antagonized D2-mediated beta-arrestin recruitment indicating functional selectivity. Hordenine inhibited melanogenesis by suppressing cAMP production, which is involved in the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins. Hordenine may be an effective inhibitor of hyperpigmentation. Hordenine is an indirectly acting adrenergic drug. It liberates norepinephrine from stores. In isolated organs and those structures with reduced epinephrine contents, the hordenine-effect is only very poor. Experiments in intact animals (rats, dogs) show that hordenine has a positive inotropic effect upon the heart, increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure, peripheral blood flow volume, inhibits gut movements but has no effect upon the psychomotorical behavior of mice. Hordenine is considered to be generally very safe and well-tolerated in healthy adults. Hordenine is a nootropic compound that works equally well for cognitive enhancement and athletic performance.

Stachydrine, a pyrrolidine betaine, was first isolated from seed husk and the pulp of the fruit of C. Leonurus, and many other Asian plants and fruits. Stachydrine is an anti-metastatic agent. Stachydrine hydrochloride induces apoptosis in MCF-7 and T47D cells and exerts inhibitory effects on proliferation by concurrently suppressing Akt and ERK survival signals, suggesting its potential efficiency in treatment of breast cancer. Stachydrine (Sta) has also been reported to possess numerous cardioprotective effects. It ameliorated pressure overload-induced diastolic heart failure by suppressing myocardial fibrosis.