Verticinone is a major alkaloid isolated from the bulbus of Fritillaria ussuriensis. Verticinone was rapidly absorbed, widely distributed in most tissues, and metabolized extensively before excretion. Verticinone has antitumor effects - treatment with verticinone can induce cancer cell apoptosis and autophagy via modulating the production of metabolites, which are supportive of carcinoma cell proliferation. Due to the potent antitussive activity and no addictive effect, verticinone seems to be a promising potential antitussive drug. Verticinone is expected to become a potentially novel sedative-analgesic agent without producing tolerance and dependence.