Pinoresinol is a plant-derived lignan with antioxidant and insecticidal properties. In cancer research, Pinoresinol has been shown to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL).

Sterigmatocystin is a mycotoxin produced by common mold strains. It induces sister chromatid exchanges in bone marrow cells of mice and has been shown to induce lung and liver tumors in vitro, as well as necrosis of the liver. Sterigmatocystin may function to inhibit of p21, and thereby DNA synthesis.