DL-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.
(2'S)-Nicotine-1-oxide, a nicotine metabolite, arises from the liver's metabolism of nicotine via the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform CYP2A6. It has been identified in human sperm and semen.
8alpha-Tigloyloxyhirsutinolide 13-O-acetate shows inhibitory activity toward CYP2A6 and MAO-A and MAO-B enzymes. 8alpha-Tigloyloxyhirsutinolide 13-O-acetate has anti-cancer activity, it is active against both cancer cell lines (IC50 = 3.50 microM for HT29