Antinociceptive effects have been attributed to anti-inflammatory properties ⁽¹¹⁾ and engagement of opioid receptors ⁽⁹⁾. Compounds that induce tingling sensations associated with topical application or chewing of jambu include spilanthol, and to a lesser degree acmellonate ⁽⁴⁾. Taste-activating alkamide compounds that induce a salivary response have also been identified ⁽⁴⁾. Spilanthol is among the most active alkamides isolated from aerial parts of A. oleracea to demonstrate insecticidal ⁽¹⁴⁾ and acaricidal ⁽¹⁵⁾ activity.

In animal models, spilanthol isolated from S. acmella reduced inflammatory responses via NFk-B inactivation ⁽⁶⁾. Potential mechanisms for gastroprotective effects with rhamnogalacturonan, a polysaccharide isolated from A. oleracea, include protectively binding to the mucosal surface, increasing mucus synthesis, scavenging radicals, and diminishing secretions of acid and pepsin ⁽¹²⁾. Other research suggests rhamnogalacturonan promotes restoration of epithelial continuity via epithelial cell proliferation and enhances mucin production to promote gastric ulcer healing ⁽¹³⁾.

In vivo, potential teratogenic activity in embryos may be due to various spilanthol metabolites ⁽²¹⁾. An animal study found that an S. acmella ethanolic flower extract rich in alkylamides affected male sexual functioning by increasing levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone ⁽⁵⁾, with the effect being significant and lasting at high doses.