Pteroic acid belongs to the class of chemical entities known as pterins. These are polycyclic aromatic compounds containing a pterin moiety, which consists of a pteridine ring bearing a ketone and an amine group to form 2-aminopteridin-4(3H)-one. It is known that pteroic acid inhibits Dihydropterate synthase from Bacillus anthracis, which is a target for the sulfonamide class of antibiotics. However, increasing resistance has encouraged the development of new therapeutic agents against this enzyme.

Syringic acid (SYRA) is a potential antioxidant used in traditional Chinese medicine and is an emerging nutraceutical. Current reports claim its potential anti-angiogenic, anti-glycating, anti-hyperglycaemic, neuroprotective, and memory-enhancing properties in various animal models. Syringic acid (SA) possesses anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and anti-steatotic effects via the regulation of lipid metabolic and inflammatory genes. SA is likely to be a new natural therapeutic agent for obesity or non-alcoholic liver disease. Syringic acid reduces oxidative stress and axonal degeneration in rat sciatic nerve after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Syringic acid may play a role in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries due to ischemia/reperfusion.

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.