It was first isolated from the seed of a leguminous plant Tephrosia barbigera; hence the name "barbigerone".

[1] Members of the genus Millettia are now known to be rich in barbigerone, including M. dielsiena,[2] M. ferruginea,[3] M. usaramensis,[4] and M.

[6] Barbigerone from S. globosus is validated to have significant antioxidant property.

[7] Barbigerone exhibits profound antiplasmodial activity against the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

[8] It is also demonstrated that it has anti-cancer potential as it causes apoptosis of murine lung-cancer cells.