Timosaponin AIII (Timosaponin A3) induces autophagy in HeLa cells followed by apoptotic cell death (IC50: 10 μM). The Timosaponin AIII cellular response is mediated via inhibition of mTORC1 and induction of ER stress (IC50: 2.5 μM, BT474 cells; 6 μM, MDAMB231). The Timosaponin AIII pro-apoptotic response is selective for tumor cells over normal cells but autophagy is induced in both.

Anemarsaponin B has anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-treated RAW 264.7macrophages, the effect is associated with the inhibition of NF-κB transcriptional activity, possibly via the p38 MAP kinase pathway. Anemarsaponin B can inhibit PAF-induced rabbit platelet aggregation in vitro.

Timosaponin B III (Anemarsaponin BIII) is a bioactive steroidal saponin isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. Timosaponin B III possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregative and anti-depressive effects.