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.
Thujopsene, a sesquiterpene found in T. dolabrata, exhibits a wide range of biological activities. It inhibits Na+ K+-ATPase and cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform CYP2B6 with IC50 values of 25.9 µg ml and Ki of 0.8 µM, respectively. Additionally, thujopsene demonstrates antimicrobial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, such as S. aureus, M. luteus, and S. typhimurium, with MICs ranging from 25-50 µg ml. It also suppresses antigen-induced β-hexosaminidase release in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 mast cells (IC50= 25.1 µM) and shows cytotoxicity against A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells with an LC50 of 35.27 µg ml. Furthermore, thujopsene causes mortality in mites D. farinae and T. putrescentiae, with LC50s of 9.82 and 10.92 µg cm2, respectively.