Mecetronium etilsulfate (MES) is a detergent and belongs to the group of surface-active ingredients. MES along with propan-2-ol and propan-1-ol is an ingredient of rub-in hand disinfectants. The antimicrobial contribution of MES in hand rubs is questionable. MES locks on the outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum) for sustained bacterial reduction as long as 3 to 5 hours.

Trehalose, a naturally occurring disaccharide of glucose that appears to function in an anhydrobiotic capacity in many organisms. Bioblast Pharma study trehalose in Phase 2 for treating patients with Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD) and spinocerebellar ataxia, type 3. In OPMD trehalose prevents the aggregation of the pathological protein (PABPN1) in muscle cells, the hallmark of the disease, by stabilizing the protein, reducing the formation of protein aggregations, and promoting their clearance from cells through autophagy, thus preventing muscle cell death. Trehalose induces autophagy via mTOR independent pathway. It activates TFEB, a master controller of lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy, by inhibiting AKT which is a negative regulator of TFEB that acts by direct phosphorylation (and inhibition) of TFEB. In addition, trehalose protects cells from hypoxic and anoxic injury and suppresses protein aggregation. In vivo studies with trehalose show cellular and behavioral beneficial effects in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Trehalose was in phase III clinical trial to study if it was possible to use the drug as add-on therapy in Bipolar Depression. Also in combination with hyaluronate, it can be used to treat dry eye syndrome. Trehalose protects the epithelial cells on the ocular surface, improving their resistance to the daily stresses of dry environments and tear film changes in a dry eye.

Acetyltriethyl citrate (ATEC, Acetyl Triethyl Citrate) is a water-soluble plasticizer used in pharmaceutical plasticized polymers. It is an aliphatic ester of citric acid which is a clear oily liquid with essentially no odor. In pharmaceutical polymers, ATEC is used as a hydrophilic plasticizer in the coating of press-coated. tablets that are composed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate or enteric polymer films consisting of polymethacrylic acid methylmethacrylate. ATEC is also used in protein films composed of whey protein or sunflower protein for buccal and sublingual films or particulate systems. Acetyl Triethyl Citrate and Acetyl Tributyl Citrate are used in nail products at concentrations up to 7%. In a guinea pig maximization test, Acetyl Triethyl Citrate was a sensitizer whereas Acetyl Tributyl Citrate was not. Limited clinical testing of Acetyl Triethyl Citrate and Acetyl Tributyl Citrate was negative for both skin irritation and sensitization. Physiologic effects noted with intravenous delivery of Acetyl Triethyl Citrate or Acetyl Tributyl Citrate include dose-related decreases in blood pressure and intestinal muscular spasms.

Butamben is a local anesthetic. It is the ester of 4-aminobenzoic acid and butanol. It is one of three components in the topical anesthetic Cetacaine. The onset of Cetacaine-produced anesthesia is rapid (approximately 30 seconds) and the duration of anesthesia is typically 30-60 minutes, when used as directed. This effect is due to the rapid onset, but short duration of action of Benzocaine coupled with the slow onset, but extended duration of Tetracaine HCI and bridged by the intermediate action of Butamben.

2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is a natural phenol found in Phyllanthus acidus and in the aquatic fern Salvinia molesta. Hydroxyl radical attack upon salicylate leads to the generation of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA) and therefore can be used to assess hydroxyl radical formation both in vitro and in vivo. 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid is a biological marker for the detection and quantification of hydroxyl radicals. 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) has been safely administered to humans as an iron-chelating agent.