Methyl orsellinate is a phytotoxic compound, it exhibits antifungal activity, it can cause significant inhibition of radicle growth of Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Echinochloa crus-galli, interact with bovine-brain calmodulin and inhibit the activation of the calmodulin-dependent enzyme cAMP phosphodiesterase. Methyl orsellinate can inhibit PTP1B activity with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 277 +/- 8.6 microM, the selective inhibition of PTP1B has been widely recognized as a potential drug target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, methyl orsellinate may can treat the type 2 diabetes and obesity.