Diterpenes (C₂₀)

Oridonin has anticancer activity, might be useful as adjunctive therapy for individuals with lymphoid malignancies, including the lethal disease adult T-cell leukemia.It inhibits tumor growth in glioma by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, inhibits BxPC-3 cell growth through cell apoptosis.

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.

Bruceine D has anti-cancer activity, it inhibits the growth of three pancreatic cancer cell lines, i.e., PANC-1, SW1990 and CAPAN-1; induces cytotoxicity in Capan-2 cells via the induction of cellular apoptosis involving the mitochondrial pathway.Bruceine D may have the potential to be used as a natural viricide, or a lead compound for new viricides.

Dehydroabietic acid (DHAA), a major poison to fishes in pulp and paper mill effluents, has toxicological and physiological effects, 20 μg l?1 is close to the “minimum effective concentration” of DHAA to rainbow trout.