Echinacoside is a caffeic acid glycoside which is constituted from a trisaccharide consisting of two glucose and one rhamnose moieties glycosidically linked to one caffeic acid and on hydroxytyrosol residue at the centrally situated rhamnose. Echinacoside is the basic component of the roots of E. angustifolia and E. pallida, ranging from 0.5 to 1.0%. Echinacoside is reported to possess the immunostimulatory and high antioxidant activities

Shikonin is a major naphthoquinone compound found in the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and exhibits powerful anticancer activities for various cancer cells. Shikonin and its derivatives are characterized by a wide spectrum of antibacterial activities: high antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus et al.), a stable fungicidal effect towards Candida and Trichosporon fungi. Shikonin normalizes the production of the key mediators of inflammation IL-1 and IL-2, IFN-γ, reduces vascular permeability in the focus of inflammation, exhibiting a marked anti-inflammatory effect. Combined therapy with applications of a bio-polymeric film with shikonin and its esters (naphthoquinone derivatives) led to an obvious improvement of the clinical parameters and reduced the morphological signs of the buccal mucosal lesions. The drug was well tolerated by all patients and no side effects were recorded. Shikonin, as a naturally occurring, low-molecular-weight pan-chemokine receptor inhibitor, constitutes a basis for the development of novel anti-HIV therapeutic agents.

Selfotel is a competitive NMDA antagonist with (-)-enantiomer is more active than ( )-enantiomer. Selfotel was investigated in phase III clinical trials for ischemic stroke and severe head injury. Development of the drug was discontinued due to lack of efficacy and possible neurotoxicity discovered in clinical trials.

Sulforaphane is a naturally-occurring phytochemical belonging to the class of isothiocyanates. As the aglycone metabolite of glucosinolate glucoraphanin (sulforaphane glucosinolate), sulforaphane acts as an antioxidant and potent stimulator of endogenous detoxifying enzymes. This agent displays anticarcinogenic properties due to its ability to induce phase II detoxification enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase, thereby providing protection against certain carcinogens and toxic, reactive oxygen species. Broccoli sprouts contain large amounts of sulforaphane, which is also found in other cruciferous vegetables including cabbage and kale. Sulforaphane is under investigation for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia.

SB-743921 is a synthetic small molecule with potential antineoplastic properties. SB-743921 selectively inhibits the ATP-binding domain of the kinesin spindle protein (KSP), an important protein involved in the early stages of mitosis that is expressed in proliferating cells. Inhibition of KSP results in inhibition of mitotic spindle assembly and interrupts cell division, thereby causing cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. SB-743921 has greater than 40,000 fold selectivity for KSP over other kinesins. SB-743921 has demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity in a variety of in vivo and in vitro human cancer models in preclinical studies. Furthermore, anti-cancer effect has been demonstrated in taxane-refractory malignancies with SB-743921. Toxicity studies demonstrated predictable neutropenias and gastrointestinal toxicities without clear evidence of neurotoxicity. The recommended phase II dose for SB-743921 as a 1-h infusion every 21 days is 4 mg/m2.

The principal end-use of azodicarbonamide (ADA) is as a blowing agent in the rubber and plastics industries. It is used in the expansion of a wide range of polymers, including polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, and natural and synthetic rubbers. Azodicarbonamide has in the past been used in the United Kingdom and Eire (but not other European Union member states) as a flour improver in the bread-making industry, but this use is no longer permitted. In vitro azodicarbonamide decreases the intracellular pool of deoxyribonucleotide and thymidine phosphorylation. Ribonucleotide reductase is a potential target of azodicarbonamide. Azodicarbonamide (ADA) represents a new compound that inhibits HIV-1 and a broad range of retroviruses by targeting the nucleocapsid CCHC domains. Vandevelde et al. also recently disclosed that ADA inhibits HIV-1 infection via an unidentified mechanism and that ADA was introduced into Phase I/II clinical trials in Europe for advanced AIDS. These studies distinguish ADA as the first known nucleocapsid inhibitor to progress to human trials and provide a lead compound for drug optimization. Phase-II development is ongoing in Spain for HIV infections.

PD-153035 is a potent and selective ATP-competitive inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase EGFR. PD 153035 shows a potent and selective inhibitory effect on tyrosine phosphorylation induced by EGF in Swiss 3T3 fibroblast and A-431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells. PD153035 shows dose-dependent growth inhibitory effects in cultures of EGF receptor-overexpressing human cancer cell lines (A431, Difi, DU145, MDA-MB-468, and ME180) and in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines (NPC-TW01, NPC-TW04, and HONE1). Pretreatment of EGFR inhibitors by 24 hours significantly enhances the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin, paclitaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil in NPCTW04 cells. PD153035 abolishes COX-2 expression induced by the PAR(2)-activating peptide 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-NH(2) (2fLI) in Caco-2 colon cancer cells. In A431 human epidermoid tumors grown as xenografts in immunodeficient nude mice, PD153035 at 80 mg/kg i.p. inhibit EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity. PD153035 improves glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and signaling and reduces subclinical inflammation in HFD-fed mice.

SB-271046 is one of the first selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonists to be discovered. SB-271046 is a potent, selective and orally active 5-HT6 receptor antagonist with a pKi value of 8.9. This compound provides a useful tool for further elucidating the physiological function of 5-HT6 receptors in vivo. SB-271046 was found to increase levels of the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate, as well as dopamine and noradrenaline in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats, and 5-HT6 antagonists have been shown to produce nootropic effects in a variety of animal studies. Suggested applications of SB-271046 included treatment of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. A phase I clinical development of SB-271046 by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) was discontinued due to a poor BBB permeability.

S-5751, an orally active prostanoid DP receptor antagonist, had potent anti-inflammatory effects in guinea pig and sheep asthma models. S-5751 had been in phase II clinical trials by Shionogi for the treatment of bronchial asthma. However, this study was discontinued in 2006.

Manoalide is a sesquiterpenoid isolated from the Indo-Pacific sponge Luffariella variabilis. It is a potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. Manoalide acts by inhibiting PLA2. At low concentrations, manoalide also inhibited calcium channels with no effect on phosphoinositide metabolism. Manoalide was licensed to Allergan Pharmaceuticals and reached Phase II clinical trials as a topical anti-psoriatic, its development was however, discontinued due to formulation problems.