Flavonoids

Sakuranetin, a flavanone phytoalexin from ultraviolet-irradiated rice leaves, it has antifungal, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, it shows a suppressive effect on umu gene expression of SOS response in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 against the mutagen furylfuramide. Sakuranetin may contribute to maintain glucose homeostasis in animals, it can strongly induce differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, stimulate glucose uptake in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes.Sakuranetin stimulates melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells via inhibition of ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, which lead to upregulation of Tyr, TRP1, and TRP2.

Marein shows neuroprotective effect on PC12 cell damage induced by methylglyoxal, which is due to a reduction of damage to mitochondria function and activation of the AMPK signal pathway, it may be a potent compound for preventing/counteracting diabetic encephalopathy. Marein can improve insulin resistance induced by high glucose in HepG2 cells through CaMKK/AMPK/GLUT1 to promote glucose uptake, through IRS/Akt/GSK-3β to increase glycogen synthesis, and through Akt/FoxO1 to decrease gluconeogenesis. Marein shows antioxidant activity, it shows Histone deacetylase enzymes (HDACs) inhibitory activity and it also can inhibit TNFα-induced NF-κB activation.

Cirsilineol, from Artemisia vestita, has immunosuppressive and anti-tumor effects, inducing apoptosis via mitochondria.

Morusin exhibits antinociceptive, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Morusin can inhibit NF-κB and STAT3 activity, activate caspases activity, and restorate GABA level.