Diterpenes (C₂₀)

Crocin is a water-soluble carotenoid pigment of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), it has been used as a spice for flavoring and coloring food preparations. Crocin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, anti-asthma, anti-cancer, and hypolipidemic effects. Crocin improves toxic effects of diazinon via reducing lipid peroxidation and restoring altered contractile and relaxant responses in rat aorta; it also protects retinal photoreceptors against light-induced cell death. Crocin can also promote ovarian cancer HO-8910 cell apoptosis, most likely by increasing p53 and Fas/APO-1 expression, and then activating the apoptotic pathway regulated by Caspase-3.

Tanshinone Ⅱ-A is a derivative of phenanthrenequinone isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza BUNGE, a traditional herbal medicine that is known to induce anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and cytotoxic activity; tanshione Ⅱ-A induces HL60 and K562 cellular apoptosis that may be associated with the selective members of caspase family

Stevioside is a safe natural sweetener, has no allergic reactions, suited for both diabetics, and PKU patients, as well as for obese persons intending to lose weight by avoiding sugar supplements in the diet. Stevioside enjoys a dual positive effect by acting as an antihyperglycemic and a blood pressure-lowering substance, it may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.Stevioside exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties by inhibiting the release of cytokines and the activation of TLR2 and proteins of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, as well as caspase-3 and Bax.

Kaurenoic acid, a diterpene isolated from Copaifera langsdorffii oleo-resin, has cytotoxic and embryotoxic effects.

Dihydrotanshinone I and cryptotanshinone, constituents of a medicinal plant, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, have antibacterial activity against a broad range of Gram positive bacteria, they have non-selectively inhibition against DNA, RNA, and protein syntheses in B. subtilis, suggest that superoxide radicals are important in the antibacterial actions of the agents.