Timosaponin BII is a steroidal glycoside separated from Zhi Mu, is found to have the inhibitory activity against the proliferation of HL-60 (leukemic), Hela (cervix), HepG2 and Bel-7402 (liver), HT-29 (colon), and MDA-MB-468 (breast) human carcinoma cell lines with an IC ₅₀ value of 15.5 μg/mL in the HL-60 cells.

Rat retinas in model group and vehicle control group manifest an apparent up-regulation of BACE1 expression. Meanwhile, the level of malonaldehyde (MDA), Aβ1-40 and β-CTF are increased. However, when comparing with the vehicle control group, the retinas in Timosaponin-BII treated group showed significantly less BACE1 and accumulated less Aβ1-40 or β-CTF. It also showed significantly decreased level of MDA and prolonged partial thromboplastin time.