Valerenic acid is a monocarboxylic acid that is 2-methylprop-2-enoic acid which is substituted at position 3 by a 3,7-dimethyl-2,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-yl group. A bicyclic sesquiterpenoid constituent of the essential oil of the Valerian plant. It has a role as a volatile oil component, a sedative, a GABA modulator and a plant metabolite. It is a monocarboxylic acid, a sesquiterpenoid and a carbobicyclic compound. It is a conjugate acid of a valerenate. Valerenic acid, a subunit specific allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, has anxiolytic, and antioxidant activities.

Pregnenolone is a 20-oxo steroid that is pregn-5-ene substituted by a beta-hydroxy group at position 3 and an oxo group at position 20. It has a role as a mouse metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a 3beta-hydroxy-Delta(5)-steroid, a 20-oxo steroid and a C21-steroid. It derives from a hydride of a pregnane. Pregnenolone is an endogenous steroid hormone for inhibition of M1 receptor and M3 receptor-mediated currents with IC50 of 11.4 μM and 6.0 μM, respectively. Pregnenolone has memory-enhancing effects, used in the treatment of fatigue, Alzheimer’s disease, trauma and injuries.

Valeranone shows antileishmanial and cytotoxic activity.

Sanggenone D represents a new scaffold of positive GABAA receptor modulators, it also inhibits COX-2 activity (IC 50 = 73-100 μM). Sanggenone D has anti-inflammatory activity, it can inhibit NO production from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells at > 10 uM; inhibition of nitric oxide production was mediated by suppression of iNOS enzyme induction but not by direct inhibition of iNOS enzyme activity.