Chloral is a chlorinated aldehyde that found extensive use, beginning in the 1940s, as a precursor in the production of the insecticide DDT and, to a lesser extent, of other insecticides and pharmaceuticals. This use of chloral has declined steadily since the 1960s, especially in those countries where the use of DDT has been restricted. Chloral is readily converted to chloral hydrate in the presence of water. Chloral hydrate is used as a sedative before medical procedures and to reduce anxiety related to withdrawal from drugs. Wider exposure to chloral hydrate occurs at microgram-per-liter levels in drinking water and swimming pools as a result of chlorination. Chloral hydrate is a well-established aneuploidogenic agent that also has some mutagenic activity. In human cells in vitro, chloral hydrate induced aneuploidy, micronuclei and gene mutations. Chloral hydrate clearly induced micronuclei in Chinese hamster cells, whereas findings in mouse lymphoma cells were conflicting. Induction of somatic mutation (but not sex-linked mutation) by chloral hydrate was demonstrated in insects. Chloral hydrate is metabolized in vivo to trichloroethanol, which is responsible for its physiological and psychological effects. The metabolite of chloral hydrate exerts its pharmacological properties via enhancing the GABA receptor complex and therefore is similar in action to benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepines, and barbiturates. In clinical studies, oral chloral hydrate appears to have a lower sedation failure rate when compared with oral promethazine for children undergoing pediatric neurodiagnostic procedures. The sedation failure was similar for other comparisons such as oral dexmedetomidine, oral hydroxyzine hydrochloride, and oral midazolam. When compared with intravenous pentobarbital and music therapy, oral chloral hydrate had a higher sedation failure rate. Compared to dexmedetomidine, chloral hydrate was associated with a higher risk of nausea and vomiting.

Sparteine is a class 1a antiarrhythmic agent; a sodium channel blocker. It is the predominant alkaloid in Lupinus mutabilis, and is thought to chelate the bivalents calcium and magnesium. It is not FDA approved for human use as an antiarrhythmic agent. It is also used as a chiral base in organic chemistry, and as a ligand in organic chemical synthesis. Marketed under the brand name Spal in Taiwan and Sparteine in Brazil.

Gallic acid is a polyphenol found in a variety of foods and herbs. Several studies have shown thta gallic acid has neuroprotective and anti-oxidant properties and can be a promising candidate for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, fatty liver disease and many others. Gallic acid acts by protecting cells against oxidative damage caused by reactive species often encountered in biological systems including, hydroxyl, superoxide and peroxyl and the non-radicals, hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid. However, its ability to induce apoptosis, is mainly associated with its prooxidant, rather than antioxidant behavior.

There is no information related to biological or pharmacological application of lead(II) bromide (a combustion product of the gasoline additives lead (IV) tetraethyl and 1,2-dibromoethane). It is only known, that this substance possesses mutagenicity.

Theobromine is the primary alkaloid present in the cocoa and chocolate. Theobromine is found in the shells and beans of the cacao plant and it is extracted from the husks of the bean and used for the synthesis of caffeine. Theobromine is an adenosine A1 and A2a receptor antagonist. Thesodate is used as a vasodilator, a diuretic, and heart stimulant. And similar to caffeine, it may be useful in management of fatigue and orthostatic hypotension. The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by theobromine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include anxiety, restlessness, tremors, sleeplessness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite. Theobromine is currently not in use as a medicinal drug.

Hydrastine is an alkaloid, one of the chief components of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) which was discovered in 1851 by Alfred P. Durand. Goldenseal is unique from other hydrastine containing plants in that (-)-β- hydrastine is the only hydrastine isomer present, while the (+)-enantiomer is found in other hydrastine-containing plants. . While a number of therapeutic activities have been attributed to berberine, the pharmacological effects of hydrastine are less studied and its safety profile is poorly understood and to frame the relevant pharmacological effects of hydrastine within the specific stereochemistry found in goldenseal. Hydrastine has been shown to have several specific biological activities including, inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase in PC-12 cells, a relaxant effect on guinea pig isolated trachea, and inhibition of several cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Toxicological studies performed on goldenseal powder in mice and rats indicate that at commonly used doses goldenseal supplements are non-toxic, thus its constituents are likely to be safe for human use when taken at reasonable doses. Despite goldenseal’s widespread usage, the pharmacokinetics of hydrastine in humans has not been adequately described. While it is difficult to determine the proper dosage range for any herbal product, a recent extensive survey of the literature suggests a daily dose of Hydrastis in the range of 0.9 to 3 g per day. Hydrastine has been reported to elicit abortifacient effects and induce preterm labor in pregnant women when taken orally.

Iodoform is an organic compound with the formula CHI3. It was formerly used as an antiseptic wound powder. Iodoform is commonly used as radiopacifier for primary tooth root canal fllling, but its use in endodontics is controversial because of its potential for causing toxic effects. It is also used in veterinary medicine as an active ingredient in the ear powders for dogs and cats.

Strychnine is an indole alkaloid obtained from the seeds of the Indian tree Strychnos nux-vomica. It gets its scientific name “strychnos” from Carl Linnaeus, who classified it back in 1753, but it was known to the population of India way before then. Nux vomica originates in India. Strychnine-containing baits are currently labelled for below-ground use and are intended for the control of pocket gophers. Their use as indoor pesticides has been eliminated since 1989. In the past, strychnine has been used as a pesticide to control rats, moles, gophers, and coyotes. Strychnine is highly toxic to most domestic animals. Strychnine is a competitive antagonist at glycine receptors and thus a convulsant. It has been used as an analeptic, in the treatment of nonketotic hyperglycinemia and sleep apnea.

Aprobarbital is a barbiturate derivative. Aprobarbital have been used for the short-term treatment of insomnia and for routine sedation to relieve anxiety, tension, and apprehension however, barbiturates generally have been replaced by benzodiazepines.

Ellagic acid is a dilactone of hexahydroxydiphenic acid, that found in numerous fruits and vegetables. Ellagic acid was first discovered by chemist Henri Braconnot in 1831. Ellagic acid is found in oaks species like the North American white oak (Quercus alba) and European red oak (Quercus robur). The highest levels of ellagic acid are found in walnuts, pecans, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, and grapes, as well as distilled beverages. It is also found in peach, and other plant foods. Ellagic acid has antiproliferative and antioxidant properties in a number of in vitro and small-animal models. The antiproliferative properties of ellagic acid may be due to its ability to directly inhibit the DNA binding of certain carcinogens, including nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. As with other polyphenol antioxidants, ellagic acid has a chemoprotective effect in cellular models by reducing oxidative stress. Ellagic acid is an investigational drug studied for treatment of Follicular Lymphoma (phase 2 trial), protection from brain injury of intrauterine growth restricted babies (phase 1 and 2 trial), improvement of cardiovascular function in adolescents who are obese (phase 2 trial), and topical treatment of solar lentigines. Ellagic acid has been marketed as a dietary supplement with a range of claimed benefits against cancer, heart disease, and other medical problems. Ellagic acid has been identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a "fake cancer 'cure' consumers should avoid".