Piper cubeba L.f.

γ-Elemene ((-)-γ-Elemene) is a lipid-lowering agent. γ-Elemene increases superoxide dismutase (SOD). γ-Elemene reduces the expression of adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1) in cells damaged by H₂O₂. γ-Elemene regulates lipid peroxidation. γ-Elemene protects cells from peroxidative damage induced by high fat and H₂O₂. γ-Elemene decreases lipid content. γ-Elemene can be used in the research of atherosclerosis.

Dihydrocubebin is a compound isolated from Piper cubeba as potent and selective inhibitors against cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4).

Cubebin ((-)-Cubebin), a dibenzyl butyrolactone lignan, is an orally active AChE inhibitor. Cubebin binds to active sites of NF-κB, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 via hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions, obstructing critical residues to inhibit pro-inflammatory or renal fibrosis-related activity. Cubebin enhances p38 MAPK phosphorylation to increase tyrosinase gene expression, stimulating melanogenesis via elevated tyrosinase activity, expression, and mRNA levels. Cubebin reduces oxidative stress via enhanced endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity and inhibited lipid peroxidation, regulates lipid metabolism, improves glycemic control, and exerts renoprotective effects via reduced renal dysfunction markers and improved renal architecture. Cubebin shows antimicrobial activity. Cubebin exerts larvicidal activity against Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae, with no cytotoxicity toward monkey or human cell lines or Caenorhabditis elegans. Cubebin can be used for the research of diabetic nephropathy, melanoma, colon adenocarcinoma, neuroangiostrongyliasis, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and depression.