Solamargine is the one of major compounds of Solanum lycocarpum- fruit glycoalkaloid extract, and a major steroidal alkaloid glycoside, which is purified from Solanum nigrum L (SNL), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It has been shown that solamargine has anti-tumor activity against the several types of cancers. Also as a part of SR-T100 Gel solamargine in the phase II of clinical trial for the treatment of Actinic Keratosis and Bowen's Disease. The precise mechanism of its actions is still undefined, but existed several potential pathways. In case of castration-resistant prostate cancer cells, solamargine inhibits the growth cells through AMPKalpha-mediated inhibition of p65, followed by reduction of MUC1 expression in vitro and in vivo. In case of lung cancer cells solamargine inhibits the growth cells through reduction of EP4 protein expression, followed by increasing ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The inter-correlations between EP4, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and c-Jun and feedback regulation of ERK1/2 by c-Jun contribute to the overall responses of solamargine in this process.

Coumarin itself was first isolated from the tonka bean Coumarouna odorata. Coumarin and its derivatives are alpha-benzopyrones. Coumarin is metabolized in humans to 7-hydroxycoumarin. Coumarin is a secondary phytochemical with hepatotoxic and carcinogenic properties. For the carcinogenic effect, a genotoxic mechanism was considered possible. Coumarins have a significant effect on physiological, bacteriostatic and anti-tumor activity. Coumarins have potent edema protective function and thus involved in the treatment of lymphedema, elephantiasis and other high protein edema conditions. Coumarin has appetite-suppressing properties.

Solasonine, a known glycoalkaloid, is a potential anti-cancer agent. Solasonine is a component of Curaderm BEC5 indicated for the topical treatment of actinic keratosis, keratoacanthoma, basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous superficial squamous cell carcinoma. BEC is a standardized mixture of Solamargine (33%), Solasonine (33%) and di-and monoglycosides of solasodine (34%) extracted from S. sodomaeum, now reclassified as S. linnaeanum. Solasonine could inhibit cell proliferation, migration and colony formation of glioma cells. Treatment of solasonine induced apoptosis via modulating cytochrome c and caspase signaling. Besides, solasonine decreased the expression of proinflammatory mediators and nuclear translocalization of NF-κB p50/p65. Mechanistic investigation further revealed that solasonine may target anti-inflammatory signaling pathway, and more specifically p-p38 and p-JNK MAPKs.