Diosbulbin B, a natural product isolated and purified from the roots of Dioscorea bulbifera, has potential anti-tumor effects which may be related to influencing the immune system for the first time.

Protodioscin, a major steroidal saponin in dioscoreae rhizome, has been shown to exhibit multiple biological actions, such as anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-cancer, sexual effects and cardiovascular properties. Protodioscin is able to stimulate testosterone production and it also has an androgen-mimetic action, binding and activating the testosterone receptors.

Gracillin is a kind of steroidal saponin isolated and purified from the roots of Dioscorea opposita Thunb. and the root bark of wild yam Dioscorea nipponica with antitumor agent.

Dioscin, a natural product isolated and purified from the rhizome of Dioscorea Zingiberensis C.H.Wright, is a potent ITGA5 inhibitor, showing potent anti-cancer effect against a variety of tumor cell lines.

Daucosterol is a naturally occuring phytosterol-like compound, role as a plant metabolite. It is a steroid saponin, a beta-D-glucoside and a monosaccharide derivative.

Pseudoprotodioscin shows a weaker suppressing effect on the production of inflammatory cytokines and can suppress melanogenesis in B16F1 cells. It's a natural product isolated and purified from the rhizomes of Dioscorea nipponica Makino. with moderate cytotoxicity.Pseudoprotodioscin inhibits SREBP1/2 and microRNA 33a/b levels and reduces the gene expression regarding the synthesis of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Methyl protodioscin is a furostanol bisglycoside with antitumor properties and shows to reduce proliferation, cause cell cycle arrest. It inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of pancreatic cancer.