Phenibut (beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid or 4-amino-3-phenylbutyric acid) is a neuropsychotropic drug that was discovered and introduced into clinical practice in Russia in the 1960s. It has anxiolytic and nootropic (cognition enhancing) effects. It acts as a GABA-mimetic, primarily at GABA(B) receptors. Pharmacological activity of racemic phenibut relies on R-phenibut and this correlates to the binding affinity of enantiomers of phenibut to the GABAB receptor. In addition R-phenibut binds to the α2-δ subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels. It is highly effective in treating anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, asthenia, insomnia, alcoholism, stuttering, and vestibular disorders. It also improves mental performance (attention, memory, speed and accuracy of sensory-motor reactions), physical performance, reduces sleep disorders as well as movement and speech disorders.

Higenamine HCl (norcoclaurine) is a plant-based alkaloid widely used as nutritional supplement in food and beverage industries. It exists in variety of plants including Tinospora crispa, Nandina domestica, Gnetum Parvifolium C.Y. Cheng, sarum Heterotropoides, Nelumbo nucifera. It was initially isolated from Aconitum and identified as the active cardiotonic component of this medicinal plant used as local and traditional medicines in many Asian regions for the treatment of various diseases such as collapse, syncope, painful joints, oedema, bronchial asthma etc. Various pharmacological properties and potentially multi-spectral medical applications of higenamine have been reviled in many in vitro and in vivo studies conducted in animals and humans. Pharmacological properties of higenamine include positive inotropic and chronotropic effect, activating slow channel effect, vascular and tracheal relaxation effect, anti-thrombotic, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effect, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect. Studies on higenamine showed potential therapeutic effects for diseases like heart failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), shock, arthritis, asthma, ischemia/reperfusion injuries and erectile dysfunction. Higenamine has been tested as a candidate of pharmacologic stress agent in the detection of coronary artery diseases (CADs) in human clinical studies in China. In animal models, higenamine has been demonstrated to be a β2 adrenoreceptor agonist. It partly exerts its actions by the activation of adenylate cyclase, responsible for boosting the cellular concentrations of the adrenergic second messenger, cAMP. Via a beta-adrenoceptor mechanism higenamine, induced relaxation in rat corpus cavernosum, leading to improved vasodilation and erectile function. Related to improved vasodilatory signals, higenamine has been shown to possess antiplatelet and antithrombotic activity via a cAMP-dependent pathway, suggesting it may contribute to enhanced vasodilation and arterial integrity. Anti-apoptotic and cardiac protective effects of higenamine were shown to be mediated by the β2-AR/PI3K/AKT cascade. Higenamine is marketed as a dietary supplement for weight loss and sport performance, and is added to many fat burning supplements. Along with many other β2 agonists, higenamine is prohibited by World Anti-Doping Agency for use in sports.

Astragaloside A (Astragaloside IV) is the primary pure saponin isolated from Astragalus membranaceus, which has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Astragaloside IV improves post-ischemic heart function and ameliorated reperfusion arrhythmias accompanied by a significant increase in myocardial antioxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase activity in rat hearts in vitro. While, Astragaloside IV's protective effect on heart function can be partially abrogated by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Astrageloside IV has multiple pharmacologic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antioxidative stress, anti-asthma, antidiabetes, immunoregulation, and cardioprotective effect via numerous signaling pathways. According to the existing studies and clinical practices, Astragaloside A possesses potential for broad application in many diseases.

Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), a pentacyclic triterpene, is a component of gum resin of Boswellia serrata. It inhibits 5-lipoxygenase in a selective, enzyme directed, non-redox, and noncompetitive manner. In addition, AKBA inhibited topoisomerase I. It induces apoptosis and exerts antineoplastic properties. 5-LOXIN, a dietary supplement ingredient (Boswellia serrata extract enriched with 30% 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid) is effective in reducing pain and improving physical functioning in osteoarthritis patients.

Tetragastrin is a C-terminal tetrapeptide (Trp–Met–Asp–Phe–NH2) of gastrin. It is the smallest peptide fragment of gastrin which has the same physiological and pharmacological activity as gastrin. It is used to test the secretion of digestive juice. It causes severe anxiety symptoms when administered to humans and is commonly used in scientific research to induce panic attacks for the purpose of testing new anxiolytic drugs. Tetragastrin is a selective cholecystokinin B (CCKB) receptor agonist. Tetragastrin is used as a gastric stimulant at a dose of 4 ug/kg, it was marketed in Japan under the brand name Gastopsin.

Methylephedrine is one of the ephedra alkaloids that is found in varying amounts in different species of the plant genus Ephedra. Methylephedrine is a popular antitussive, bronchodilator, analgesic, antipyretic, and widely used mixed with other drugs in preparations for treatment of the common cold. N-Methylephedrine, its salts, optical isomers, and salts of optical isomers are in FDA list of Exempt chemical mixtures.

Raclopride is a salicylamide neuroleptic, that acts as a selective antagonist of D2 dopamine receptors both in vitro and in vivo. Tritium-labelled raclopride has properties that demonstrate its usefulness as a radioligand for the labelling of dopamine-D2 receptors : 3H-Raclopride has a high affinity for the rat and human dopamine-D2 receptors, the non-specific binding of 3H-raclopride is very low, not exceeding 5% of the total binding and the distribution of the 3H-raclopride binding sites in the brain closely correlates with the dopaminergic innervation. The binding of 3H-raclopride is blocked by dopamine-D2 agonists and antagonists, while the D1 agonist SKF 38393 and the Dl antagonist SCH 23390 have much less potency. The interaction of dopamine with 3H-raclopride binding results in a shallow competition curve, which suggests that 3H-raclopride, similar to other dopamine-D2 radioligands, labels both high and low agonist affinity states of the dopamine-D2 receptor. The in vivo receptor binding studies performed with 3H-raclopride also demonstrate its favorable properties as a dopamine-D2 receptor marker in vivo In contrast to some other compounds used as radioligands, raclopride enters the brain readily and binds with a low component of non-specific binding in all dopamine-rich brain areas. A saturation curve may be achieved in vivo binding studies since injections of increasing concentrations of 3H-raclopride appears to be saturated at concentrations above 25 mkCi (corresponding to approximately 5 nmol/kg). Raclopride antagonizes apomorphine-induced hyperactivity in the rat at low doses (ED50 = 130 nM/kg i.p.) but induces catalepsy only at much higher doses (ED50 = 27 mkM/kg i.p.). Radiolabelled raclopride has been used as a ligand for in vitro and in vivo autoradiography in rat and primate brains. Raclopride C 11 is used with positron emission tomography (PET) as a clinical research tool to determine dopamine type 2 (D 2) receptor density in the human brain under normal and pathological conditions. For example, raclopride C 11 used in PET studies has served to confirm the age-related decrease in striatal dopamine D2 receptor density, which may be associated with a decline in the motor as well as cognitive functions. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, raclopride C 11 may be used to examine neuroreceptor distribution and quantities, which may help in the analysis of degenerative alterations of neuron populations and neuroreceptor systems in patients with this disease. In Huntington's disease, in which degeneration of neostriatal interneurons occurs (postsynaptic to the dopaminergic input), specific binding of raclopride C 11 to D 2 receptors may serve as one of the parameters in predicting performance in cognitive tasks.

Ginsenoside C is a triterpene saponin originally found in species of Panax (ginseng) that exhibits anti-osteoporotic, antioxidative, antiviral, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic, and anticancer chemotherapeutic activities. In vivo, ginsenoside C decreases levels of malondialdehyde and increases levels of glutathione, improving bone microarchitecture and bone mineral density. In other animal models, this compound decreases virus titers and protects against infection of hemagglutinating virus of Japan. In adipocytes, ginsenoside C decreases levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and increases expression of SREBP. In uterine endometrial cancer cells, ginsenoside C decrease expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), suppressive cellular invasion; this compound also inhibits neovascularization and tumor growth in animal models of melanoma. Ginsenoside C is a component of Korean Red Ginseng, marketed in Korea. Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer, Araliaceae) is traditionally used as an important herbal medicine in Far East Asia. Korean Red Ginseng is possibly effective for: • Alzheimer's disease. Evidence shows that taking Panax ginseng root daily for 12 weeks can improve mental performance in people with Alzheimer's disease. • Lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth seems to improve lung function and some symptoms of COPD. • Mental function. Taking Panax ginseng by mouth might improve abstract thinking, mental arithmetic skills, and reaction times in healthy, middle-aged people but not in young adults. Panax ginseng alone does not seem to improve memory. But there is some evidence that a combination of Panax ginseng and ginkgo leaf extract can improve memory in otherwise healthy people between the ages of 38 and 66. • Erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth seems to improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction. • Flu. Taking a specific Panax ginseng by mouth appears to reduce the risk of getting a cold or the flu. But, taking Panax ginseng does not seem to reduce flu symptoms or the length of the illness. • Multiple sclerosis-related fatigue. Taking Panax ginseng daily for 3 months reduces feelings of tiredness and improves quality of life in females with MS. • Premature ejaculation. Applying a cream containing Panax ginseng, angelica root, Cistanches deserticola, Zanthoxyl species, torlidis seed, clover flower, asiasari root, cinnamon bark, and toad venom (SS Cream) to the penis one hour before intercourse and washing off immediately before intercourse seems to help prevent premature ejaculation.

Kavain is the main kavalactone found mostly in the roots of the kava plant. Kavain interacts with voltage-dependent Na+ and Ca2+ channels, GABAA ion channels. Kavain is found to be involved in TNF-alpha expression in human and mouse cells via regulation transcriptional factors. Kavain exhibits neuroprotective effects in models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and produces anxyolitic effect.

Ginsenoside Rb1 is a triterpene saponin originally found in species of Panax that exhibits antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, orexigenic, and stimulatory activities. In animal models, ginsenoside Rb1 increases motor activity, food intake, and skeletal muscle ATP content, improving energy metabolism. Ginsenoside Rb1 also downregulates expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TNF-α in animal models of sepsis, protecting against liver and lung damage. Additionally, ginsenoside Rb1 inhibits glucose-induced neurotoxicity by preventing GSK-3β-stimulated CHOP induction. This compound also activates Nrf2 and increases expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), suppressing oxidative stress in vitro. Ginsenoside Rb1 improves learning and memory, increases Bmax of M-cholinergic receptors, and accelerates cerebral protein and ACh biosynthesis. Ginsenoside Rb1 is a component of Korean Red Ginseng, marketed in Korea. Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer, Araliaceae) is traditionally used as an important herbal medicine in Far East Asia. Korean Red Ginseng is possibly effective for: