Cirsimaritin exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, antioxidant properties and renal protection. Cirsimaritin binds weakly to the benzodiazepine site on GABAA receptors.

Cirsimaritin inhibits the growth of tumor cells and induced mitochondrial apoptosis in human gallbladder carcinoma cell line (GBC-SD), it triggers endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and down-regulates the phosphorylation of Akt [1]. Cirsimaritin increases tyrosinase activity and melanin content in murine B16F10 melanoma cells by activation of CREB as well as upregulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression in a dose-dependent manner [2].

Cirsimaritin significantly reduces anxiety in mice. The high-affinity benzodiazepine binding site is not involved in the anxiolytic activity induced by these compounds. Cirsimaritin does not decrease by co-administration of flumazenil (2.5 mg/kg) with salvigenin, rosmanol and cirsimaritin (10 mg/kg)[3].