Hecogenin, a steroid saponin isolated from Agave sisalana, is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of UGT1A4 with an IC50 value of 1.5 μM. Hecogenin has anti-cancer, antiproliferative,antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, it can protect gastro by K⁺(ATP) channels opening and the COX-2/PG pathway. Hecogenin has inhibition of human rheumatoid arthritis synovial cell survival, the effect is associated with increased apoptosis, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2.