Cryptotanshinone (Cryptotanshinon), a STAT3 inhibitor (IC50: 4.6 μM) in a cell-free assay, strongly inhibits phosphorylation of STAT3 Tyr705, with a little effect on STAT3 Ser727, but no inhibition for STAT1 nor STAT5.

Isocryptotanshinone inhibits protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) activity with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 56.1±6.3 μM, PTP1B acts as a negative regulator of insulin signaling, and selective inhibition of PTP1B has served as a potential drug target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Neocryptotanshinone inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages by suppression of NF-κB and iNOS signaling pathways.

Neocryptotanshinone inhibits rabbit platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid.