Sanguinarine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid which has anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a specific inhibitor of Rac1b, and with potential antitumor activity.

Ziyuglycoside I isolated from S. officinalis root, has anti-wrinkle activity, and increases the expression of type I collagen. Ziyuglycoside I could be used as an active ingredient for cosmetics . Ziyuglycoside I triggers cell cycle arrest and apoptosis mediated by p53, it can be a potential drug candidate for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) .

Ziyuglycoside II, a natural product isolated and purified from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis, with anti-inflammation, antioxidation, antibiosis, homeostasis, and antitumor properties against gastric cancer and breast cancer cells, by cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis.