Hecogenin acetate is the acetylated form of Hecogenin, a naturally occurring sapogenin present in the leaves of plants from the Agave genus. It has been found to have antinociceptive activity in mice and has also been investigated as an anti-cancer agent in vitro. Hecogenin appears to exert its anticancer influence by modulating the ERK1/2 signal cascade and activates opioid receptors to influence nocioception.