Helvolic acid is a mycotoxin with antibacterial activity that shows broad activity against Gram positive and negative bacteria. For example Helvolic acid showed potent inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values of 5.8 and 4.6ug/mL, respectively. It is a steroidal triterpene that is an inhibitor of the protein biosynthesis through archeal EF-2 (elongation factor 2). Shows antioxidant effects. Helvolic acid also showed in vitro antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. It showed inhibitory activity against Candida albicans and Plasmodium falciparum.

3-Indoleacrylic acid (IAA) is a natural auxin from lentil roots. 3-Indoleacrylic acid (IAA) induces transcription of genes under the control of the trpE promoter, including a family of proteins that contain nuclear localization signals. IAA also transcriptionally activates gene expression in plants. Trans-beta-Indoleacrylic acid (IAA) binds with moderately high affinity to the dimeric protein, trp aporepressor from Escherichia coli. 3-Indoleacrylic acid inhibits the growth of mycelia of Neurospora crassa and causes the cells to accumulate indoleglycerol phosphate.