(Z)-Guggulsterone is a natural product that lowers cholesterol due to its function as an antagonist ligand for the bile acid receptor. (Z)-Guggulsterone is a nuclear hormone receptor that regulates the transcription of several genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and plays a role in cholesterol level regulation. (Z)-Guggulsterone is also a selective farnesoid X receptor (FXR) modulator. Both Guggulsterone isomers were demonstrated to suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by inhibiting IκB-α degradation and NF-κB activation. GS has medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, muscle relaxing, hypocholesterolemic and anti-obesity, antimycobacterial, antischistomal, larvicidal, and molluscicida.

Dihydromethysticin is one of the six major kavalactones found in the roots of kava plant. Dihydromethysticin was found to be very effective in producing analgesia in the tail immersion test. Dihydromethysticin kavalactone induces apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells through modulation of PI3K/Akt pathway, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and inducing cell cycle arrest. Dihydromethysticin was identified as a promising lung cancer chemopreventive agent. Low concentrations of the kavalactone (+)-dihydromethysticin enhanced the binding of ligands to the GABAA receptors on freeze-dried rat cortex preparations.

Methysticin is a kavalactone originally found in Piper methysticum (kava plant). Methysticin exhibits neuroprotective, neuromodulatory, and antifungal activities. Methysticin may also display anti-inflammatory benefit, inhibiting activation of NF-κB in lung adenocarcinoma tissue. Methysticin activates Nrf2 in neurons and astroglia, protecting against amyloid-β (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity. This compound displays antimicrobial efficacy against species of Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Colletotrichum. Additionally, methysticin inhibits peak amplitude of voltage-gated Na+ channels in hippocampal neurons. Methysticin administration activates the Nrf2 pathway and reduces neuroinflammation, hippocampal oxidative damage and memory loss in a mouse model of AD. Therefore, kavalactones might be suitable candidates to serve as lead compounds for the development of a new class of neuroprotective drugs.