Lignans

Etoposide (VP-16; VP-16-213) is an anti-cancer chemotherapy agent. Etoposide inhibits topoisomerase II, thus stopping DNA replication. Etoposide induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagy.

Honokiol is a bioactive, biphenolic phytochemical that possesses potent antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and anticancer activities by targeting a variety of signaling molecules. It inhibits the activation of Akt. Honokiol can readily cross the blood brain barrier.

Picropodophyllin (AXL1717) is a selective insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor with an IC₅₀ of 1 nM.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid is a 5-lipoxygenase (5LOX) (IC₅₀=8 μM) and tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Magnolol, a natural lignan isolated from the stem bark of Magnolia officinalis, is a dual agonist of both RXRα and PPARγ, with EC₅₀ values of 10.4 µM and 17.7 µM, respectively.

Gomisin N is an orally active lignan compound. Gomisin N can be isolated from Schisandra chinensis. Gomisin N induces Apoptosis in a variety of cells. Gomisin N activates AMPK, Akt, MAPK/ERK, Nrf2, caspase-3 and PARP-1. Gomisin N inhibits GSK3β, nitric oxide (NO), and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). Gomisin N has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-melanogenesis activities. Gomisin N has anti-tumor activity against cervical cancer and liver cancer. Gomisin N improves Alzheimer's disease.

Schisantherin B (Gomisin-B) is a lignan compound and one of the active components of Schisandra chinensis. Schisantherin B activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, restores the activity of GSK3β, and reduces the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in hippocampal and cerebral cortical tissues. Schisantherin B upregulates the level of GLT-1, decreases the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6, upregulates the expression of IL-10, and inhibits cell apoptosis. Schisantherin B is applicable to the research of spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease and depression.

Phyllanthin is an effective oral anticancer agent. Phyllanthin inhibits MOLT-4 cell viability, increases apoptosis, inhibits cell migration and invasion. Phyllanthin exerts anti-fibrotic effects by down-regulating TGF signaling pathway via ALK5 and Smad2/3. Phyllanthin also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties .

Arctigenin ((-)-Arctigenin), a biologically active lignan, can be used as an antitumor agent. Arctigenin exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral (influenza A virus) activities. Arctigenin can be used for the research of metabolic disorders, and central nervous system dysfunctions.

Sesamin, abundant lignan found in sesame oil, is a potent and selective delta 5 desaturase inhibitor in polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Sesamin exerts effective neuroprotection against cerbral ischemia.

Schisandrin A inhibits CYP3A activity with an IC₅₀ of 6.60 μM and K_i of 5.83 μM, respectively.

Schisandrin B (γ-Schisandrin) is a biphenylcyclooctadiene derivative isolated from Schisandra chinensis and has been shown to have antioxidant effects on the liver and heart of rodents.

Podofilox (Podophyllotoxin) is a potent inhibitor of microtubule assembly and DNA topoisomerase II.

Phillyrin is isolated from Forsythia suspensa Vahl (Oleaceae), has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Phillyrin has potential inductive effects on rat CYP1A2 and CYP2D1 activities, without affecting CYP2C11 and CYP3A1/2 activities. Phillyrin has anti-influenza A virus activities.

Phillygenin (Phillygenol) is an active ingredient from Forsythia with many medicinal properties, such as antioxidant, reducing blood lipid, inhibition of low density lipoprotein oxidation.

Schisantherin A is a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan. Schisantherin A inhibits p65-NF-κB translocation into the nucleus by IκBα degradation.

Arctiin is an orally active inhibitor of NF-κB. Arctiin suppresses cyclin D1 protein expression in human tumor cells. Arctiin also reduces malondialdehyde and pro-in ammatory cytokines levels. Arctiin can used in study glomerulonephritis.

Schisandrin (Schizandrin), a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan, is isolated from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis Baill. Schisandrin exhibits antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Schisandrin also can reverses memory impairment in rats.

Schisandrol B (Gomisin-A) is a major active constituent of Schisandra chinensis with hepato-protective effects. Schisandrol B inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Schisandrol B inhibits the activity of P-glycoprotein and CYP3A and also has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities.

Eleutheroside E is an important component of ginseng that can be taken orally. Eleutheroside E has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it helps reduce apoptosis in heart cells caused by hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) damage. Eleutheroside E can improve type 2 diabetes, enhance cognitive function, and has neuroprotective effects.