AMDE-1 is a modulator of autophagy activity that acts by triggering autophagy in an Atg5-dependent manner, recruiting Atg16 to the pre-autophagosomal site and causing LC3 lipidation.

Isoquinoline is an analog of pyridine. Isoquinoline-based alkaloids, such as p-tolyl bisisoquinoline, phthaloyl isoquinoline, and naphthyl isoquinoline, exhibit anticancer activity.Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, exerts anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic mice by downregulating the gene expression ratios of pro-/anti-inflammatory and Th1/Th2 cytokines.Additionally, some isoquinoline-based compounds also possess antidepressant, antibacterial, antimalarial, and anti-HIV activities.

Dibenzothiophene (DBT) is a model compound for organic sulfur in fossil fuels.