1-Deoxynojirimycin is an optically active form of 2-(hydroxymethyl)piperidine-3,4,5-triol having 2R,3R,4R,5S-configuration. It has a role as a hypoglycemic agent, a hepatoprotective agent, an anti-HIV agent, an EC 3.2.1.20 (alpha-glucosidase) inhibitor, an anti-obesity agent, a plant metabolite and a bacterial metabolite. It is a piperidine alkaloid and a 2-(hydroxymethyl)piperidine-3,4,5-triol. 1-Deoxynojirimycin is a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor, suppresses postprandial blood glucose, thereby possibly preventing diabetes mellitus. 1-Deoxynojirimycin as a therapeutic agent by controlling the overgrowth and biofilm formation of S. mutans, it also can block human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein- mediated membrane fusion at the CXCR4 binding step. 1-Deoxynojirimycin is an orally effective alpha glucosidase inhibitor. 1-Deoxynojirimycin inhibits postprandial blood glucose and prevents diabetes. 1-Deoxynojirimycin has hypoglycemic, weight loss, and antiviral effects.

Miglustat is a hydroxypiperidine that is deoxynojirimycin in which the amino hydrogen is replaced by a butyl group. It has a role as an EC 2.4.1.80 (ceramide glucosyltransferase) inhibitor and an anti-HIV agent. It is a member of piperidines and a tertiary amino compound. It is functionally related to a duvoglustat.

Diphyllin could be characterized as a new V-ATPase inhibitor in treating gastric cancer and inhibiting the phosphorylation of LRP6 in Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Diphyllin has anti-inflammatory activities, it shows 50% inhibition of NO production from peritoneal macrophages. Diphyllin also has in vitro antileishmanial activity, it exerts a strong specific inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.2 microM) resulting from the inhibition of parasite internalization within macrophages.