Toosendanin (TSN) was used as a digestive tract-parasiticide and agricultural insecticide in ancient China;TSN is a selective presynaptic blocker, a L-type Ca 2+ channel agonist and an effective antibotulismic agent, by interfering with neurotransmitter release through an initial facilitation followed by a subsequent depression. TSN has effects on the growth, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis and the involved signaling pathway in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells.

Dihydromethysticin non-competitively inhibits the specific binding of [3H]-batrachotoxinin-A 20-alpha-benzoate to receptor site 2 of voltage-gated Na+ channels.The induction of CYP3A23 by dihydromethysticin and desmethoxyyangonin involves transcription activation, probably through a pregnane X receptor (PXR).-independent or PXR-involved indirect mechanism. Dihydromethysticin is an aromatic ether and a member of 2-pyranones.