Anticancer and antiviral agent; chemopreventive and pro-apoptotic. Inhibits phorbol ester-induced ornithine decarboxylase and NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase activities (IC50 values are 11 and 6.9 nM respectively). Inhibits PI 3-kinase and reduces pAkt levels in pre-malignant and malignant human bronchial epithelial cells. Active in vivo.