6-Shogaol has anti-cancer, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory effects, it can inhibit the growth of human pancreatic tumors and sensitize them to gemcitabine by suppressing of TLR4/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathways linked to tumorigenesis. 6-Shogaol induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in relation to caspase activation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling, affects the ER stress signaling by regulating unfolded protein response (UPR) sensor PERK and its downstream target eIF2α.

Melatonin is a member of the class of acetamides that is acetamide in which one of the hydrogens attached to the nitrogen atom is replaced by a 2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl group. It is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in humans. It has a role as a geroprotector, a hormone, a central nervous system depressant, an anticonvulsant, a radical scavenger, an immunological adjuvant, a mouse metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a member of acetamides and a member of tryptamines. Melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain, is a potent melatonin receptor activator, and possesses important anti-cancer, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, it can reduce lead toxicity in vivo and in vitro. Melatonin may be useful as a pharmacological agent to protect against hepatic metabolic diseases due to its ability to regulate expression of miR-23a.

Asarylaldehyde is a carbonyl compound. Asarylaldehyde is a COX-2 inhibitor that significantly suppresses the activity of cyclooxygenase II (COX-2), with an IC50 value of 100 μg/mL.