23-epi-26-deoxyactein (formerly 27-deoxyactein), is the most abundant triterpene glycosides of black cohosh, inhibits growth of the MCF7 human breast cancer cells and induces cell cycle arrest at G1 and might eventually be useful in the prevention or treatment of breast cancer. Also was investigated the mechanism of action of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein, and was shown that 23-epi-26-deoxyactein decreased IFNγ-induced iNOS mRNA and NO production in brain microglial cells.

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.