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).

Chikusetsusaponin-Ib is a triterpenoid saponin. It has a role as a metabolite.

Cirsiliol is a dimethoxyflavone that is flavone substituted by methoxy groups at positions 6 and 7 and hydroxy groups at positions 5, 3' and 4' respectively. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a dimethoxyflavone and a trihydroxyflavone. It is functionally related to a flavone.

Cauloside D is a pentacyclic triterpenoid, a carboxylic ester and a triterpenoid saponin. It has a role as an anti-inflammatory agent and a plant metabolite. It is functionally related to a hederagenin. Hederacoside D is a narural product from Hedera nepalensis.

Soyasaponin III is a triterpenoid saponin that is composed of soyasapogenol B having a beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(12)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid moiety attached at the 3-position via a glycosidic linkage. It has a role as a prodrug and a hepatoprotective agent. It is a pentacyclic triterpenoid and a triterpenoid saponin. It is functionally related to a soyasapogenol B. It is a conjugate acid of a soyasaponin III(1-).