2-Deoxy-D-glucose is an apoptosis inhibitor that has been shown to be taken up by glial cells incubated with insulin. Studies indicate that this compound has the potential to suppress hypoxia in murine retinal tissue. Additionally, 2-Deoxy-D-glucose has been noted to be a glycolytic inhibitor via indirect inhibition of hexokinase (HXK) which results in endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Other experiments suggest that this agent upregulates autophagy and lowers ATP levels in certain cancer cell lines. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose is an activator of AMPK and an inhibitor of GPI.

It is a natural anti-metabolite antibiotic with many physiological and pharmacological effects that can inhibit viral infection,yeast fermentation, pathogens and tumor cell growth. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-epileptic, anti-aging effects, etc. It is used to prevent viruses and pathogen infections, and can treat herpes, etc. It is mainly used for the prevention and treatment of various viral diseases and immunosuppressive diseases in livestock and poultry. It can be used as an auxiliary treatment for bacteria and mycoplasma infection, and has broad application prospects in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.