Precocene II is a cyclic propenylic plant metabolite and asarone analog. It shows antijuvenile hormone activity in insects and inhibits trichothecene production in fungi. Precocene II showed strong hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic activity. Precocene II exhibited inhibitory activity on the P-388 cancer cell line and the HT-29 cancer cell line. It is a bioactive component of Ageratum houstonianum, responsible for circadian CLOCK-mediated up-regulation of AQP3 in human keratinocytes. It can be used as a potential adjunct to enhance the treatment of various skin diseases by providing adequate hydration in the epidermis.

Pyrethrins are natural insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers containing a mixture of six components: pyrethrin I, cinerin I, jasmolin I, pyrethrin II, cinerin II, and jasmolin II. Pyrethrins induce a toxic effect in insects when they penetrate the cuticle and reach the nervous system. Pyrethrins bind to sodium channels that occur along the length of nerve cells. Sodium channels are responsible for nerve signal transmission along the length of the nerve cell by permitting the flux of sodium ions. When pyrethrins bind to sodium channels, normal function of the channels is obstructed thereby resulting in hyperexcitation of the nerve cell and, consequently, a loss of function of the nerve cell. The shutdown of the insect nervous system and death are most often the consequences of insect exposure to pyrethrins. Pyrethrin II has strong activity against Plasmodium falciparum.