Crotonoside has much more active than adenosine in reducing the blood pressure in rabbits and cats, in decreasing the tone of isolated intestinal strips of the rabbit, guinea pig and hamster and in stimulating the isolated uterus of guinea pigs and hamsters.

Celosin J is a natural compound that can be isolated from Celosia argentea seeds.

Swertianine is a hydroxyexanthone that can be isolated from Swertia decussata. Swertianine has antioxidant activity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, scavenging DPPH and superoxide free radicals. Swertianine also inhibits γ-ray induced DNA damage of pBR322 with protective effect.