Swertianolin is a xanthone that is bellidifolin in which a beta-Dglucopyranosyl residue is attached at position O-8 via a glycosidic linkage. It is isolated particularly from Gentiana campestris and Gentiana germanica. It has a role as an antioxidant, an EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor and a plant metabolite. It is a beta-D-glucoside, an aromatic ether, a monosaccharide derivative and a xanthone glycoside. It is functionally related to a bellidifolin. Swertianolin shows anti-acetylcholinesterase activity effects, it shows significant hepatoprotective effect in the liver damage model induced by alpha-naphthylisot hiocyanate. Swertianolin can scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl radicals with the studying method of the autoxidation of Pyrogallol and afenton.

Glycyrrhizic acid has anti-tumor, antiviral ,antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory,anti-diabetic activities. It is a direct HMGB1(high mobility group box 1) inhibitor that inhibits HMGB1-dependent inflammatory molecule expression and oxidative stress; modulates P38 and P-JNK but not p-ERK signalling; Also inhibits 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and monoamine oxidase (MAO). Glycyrrhizinic acid is a triterpenoid saponin that is the glucosiduronide derivative of 3beta-hydroxy-11-oxoolean-12-en-30-oic acid. It has a role as an EC 3.4.21.5 (thrombin) inhibitor and a plant metabolite. It is a glucosiduronic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, a tricarboxylic acid, an enone and a triterpenoid saponin. It is a conjugate acid of a glycyrrhizinate(3-).

Acetylshikonin can effectively inhibit tumor cells, it can be used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma cells expressing hepatitis B virus X protein (HBX) by inducing ER stress , an oncoprotein from hepatitis B virus. Acetylshikonin inhibits the production of eicosanoid, is due to the attenuation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) membrane recruitment via the decrease in [Ca(2+)](i) and to the blockade of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase activity. Acetylshikonin is an orally effective anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti fertility, antibacterial, and neuroprotective agent. Acetylshikonin is an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (IC50=34.6 μ M) and non selective cytochrome P450.Acetylshikonin can induce apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells. Acetylshikonin can regulate blood sugar, liver fat metabolism and renal fibrosis, and is used in the study of diabetes, diabetes nephropathy (DN), obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Forsythoside B inhibits inflammatory response, has antioxidant, antisepsis properties, and also has potent neuroprotective effects with a favorable therapeutic time-window, reduce of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury degree, attenuating blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. Forsythoside B could inhibit TNF-alpha, IL-6, IκB and modulate NF-κB.

Rupestonic acid derivatives have an anti-influenza virus activity, they inhibit IAV by up-regulating HO-1-mediated IFN response.