It shows an action on prostate cancer cells.[2] It has been shown to inhibit the human cytochrome P450 1A1,[3] an enzyme implicated in the biotransformation of a number of carcinogenic and immunotoxic compounds.
^Stilbenes from Gnetum cleistostachyum. Yao Chun-Suo, Lin Mao, LIiu Xin and Wang Ying-Hong, Huaxue xuebao, 2003, volume 61, no 8, pages 1331-1334, INIST15332136
^Chun, Y. J.; Ryu, S. Y.; Jeong, T. C.; Kim, M. Y. (2001). "Mechanism-based inhibition of human cytochrome P450 1A1 by rhapontigenin". Drug Metabolism and Disposition. 29 (4 Pt 1): 389–393. PMID11259321.