Osajin is the major bioactive iso avone present in the fruit of Maclura pomifera. It has antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Osajin shows growth inhibitory activity on six human cancer cell lines, including kidney, lung, prostate, breast, melanoma and colon cancer cells. Osajin obviously reduces the viability of human NPC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Osajin causes apoptosis in human NPC cells through multiple apoptotic pathways, including the extrinsic death receptor pathway, and intrinsic pathways relying on mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum stress[1][2].

The cardioprotective effects of osajin and pomiferin are attributed to their ability to suppress oxidative stress, coinciding with enhanced ventricular function. These compounds mitigate myocardial dysfunction induced by ischemia-reperfusion, evidenced by elevated levels of antioxidant enzymes and overall antioxidant activity[3].