Rosin is a natural product derived from pine trees and consists of a complex mixture of mutually soluble organic compounds. Rosin (colophony) is composed of approximately 70% resin acids. Rosins are produced commercially by one of the following three methods: (1) solvent extraction of aged and ground pine stumps (wood rosin), (2) extraction of crude tall oil as a byproduct of the Kraft pulping process for making paper followed by acidification and fractional distillation (tall oil rosin) and, (3) tapping the living tree to collect oleoresin followed by distillation to yield turpentine and a resinous substance (gum rosin). Because, gum, tall oil and wood rosins are obtained from pine trees, they are similar in composition. Rosin and its derivatives also exhibit wide ranging pharmaceutical applications. Rosin derivatives show excellent film forming and coating properties. They are also used for tablet film and enteric coating purpose. Rosins have also been used to formulate microcapsules and nanoparticles. Glycerol, sorbitol, and mannitol esters of rosin are used as chewing gum bases for medicinal applications. The degradation and biocompatibility of rosin and rosin-based biomaterials has been examined in vitro and in vivo. Rosin Gum is an important raw material for the manufacture of soap, paper, paint, and rubber; intermediate material for synthetic organic chemicals. Rosin in Rhodiola rosea L. preparations can effect the central nervous system by increasing the ability to concentrate, the mental and physical power; they are efficient in the asthenic states and improve general resistance of the cells and the organism against the harmful outer influence. They also prevent the heart system from stress and arrhythmias, and posses some antioxidant activity. Some data confirm that the Rhodiola rosea L. preparations stop the growth of the malignant tumors and metastases in the liver.

Escin, a natural mixture of triterpenoid saponins isolated from horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) seeds, is used and studied as a vasoprotective anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous and anti-nociceptive agent. In traditional Chinese medicine, Escin is widely used for the treatment of cerebral edema, and chronic venous insufficiency, among other conditions while recent studies showed Escin might have antitumor effects as well. Escin reduced cell proliferation and induces apoptosis on glioma and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Escin suppressed the metastasis of triple‐negative breast cancer cells through inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, the study also showed Escin can reverse multidrug resistance through inhibition of the GSK3β/β–catenin pathway in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Escin has been proved to be well tolerated and efficiency on improving the gastrointestinal motility in patients with colorectal cancer.

Gamma-oryzanol is a naturally occurring component in rice bran and rice germ, which consists of a mixture of ferulic acid esters of sterols and triterpene alcohols. The mechanism of action of gamma-oryzanol is believed to be involved in the metabolism of catecholamine in the hypothalamus. The antioxidant effect of gamma-oryzanol was well documented and excellent in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Isolation, extraction, and purification of gamma oryzanol were first reported in the mid-1950s. It has been sold in Japan as a medicine since 1962, first to treat anxiety and later in menopause. Gamma oryzanol and rice bran oil therapy have been used to manage elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels since the late 1980s. No human clinical studies reported adverse effects of rice bran or its fiber fraction.