Esculin (Esculoside), a coumarin compound derived from the horse chestnut and the traditional Chinese herbs such as Cortex Fraxini, has long been used for treating inflammatory and vascular diseases. The main activities of Esculoside focus on capillary protection, as it improves capillary permeability and fragility. It is reported to inhibit catabolic enzymes such as hyaluronidase and collagenase, thus preserving the integrity of the perivascular connective tissue. Esculin has various biological activities including anti-oxidant activity, intestinal anti-inflammatory activity, anti-cancer activity and growth inhibition of human leukemia cells. Esculin inhibits lipid peroxidation and scavenges hydroxyl radicals in the rat liver and exerts anti-inflammatory activity in both carrageenan- and zymosan-induced paw edema in mice. Esculin has the gastroprotective effect in cold-restraint stress and pylorus ligation-induced ulcer models. Esculin is used in a microbiology laboratory to aid in the identification of bacterial species (especially Enterococci and Listeria).

The oil obtained from the seeds of the castor oil plant Ricinus communis is one of the oldest drugs known to man. Castor oil is known primarily as an effective laxative; however, it was also used in ancient times with pregnant women to induce labor. Aside from getting rid of acne, castor oil also helps detoxify the skin. It helps break up the oils that clog glands and pores on the face. Only now, have scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research succeeded in unravelling the mysteries of the action mechanism. Ricinoleic acid released from the oil in the intestine, is responsible for the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It was discovered, that G protein-coupled receptors, a large group of receptors in the body involved primarily in transmitting signals in cells. Hundreds of receptors were systematically turned off, and then the reaction of the cells to ricinoleic acid was tested. Ultimately, was succeeded identified the key receptor with the name EP3. There was concluded that after being released from the castor oil, the ricinoleic acid is first of all absorbed by the body via the intestinal mucosa; the EP3 receptor then becomes active on the muscle cells of the intestine and uterus, which in turn stimulates intestinal activity.

Alminoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the phenylpropionic acid class. It has anti-inflammatory properties different from the classical NSAID. Alminoprofen possesses both antiphospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity and anti-cycloxygenase (COX) activity.

Alminoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the phenylpropionic acid class. It has anti-inflammatory properties different from the classical NSAID. Alminoprofen possesses both antiphospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity and anti-cycloxygenase (COX) activity.

Aldosterone is a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates electrolyte and water balance by increasing the renal retention of sodium and the excretion of potassium. Recent findings have shown that the physiological functions of the hormone aldosterone go far beyond its well-known role in blood-pressure regulation and salt/water homeostasis. Aldosterone is for example involved in the regulation of inflammation, and also binds directly to mineralocorticoid receptors in specific brain regions. At the late distal tubule and collecting duct, aldosterone has two main actions: 1) aldosterone acts on mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) on principal cells in the distal tubule of the kidney nephron, increasing the permeability of their apical (luminal) membrane to potassium and sodium and activates their basolateral Na+/K+ pumps, stimulating ATP hydrolysis leading to phosphorylation of the pump and a conformational change in the pump exposes the Na+ ions to the outside. The phosphorylated form of the pump has a low affinity for Na+ ions, hence reabsorbing sodium (Na+) ions and water into the blood, and secreting potassium (K+) ions into the urine; 2) aldosterone stimulates H+ secretion by intercalated cells in the collecting duct, regulating plasma bicarbonate (HCO3−) levels and its acid/base balance; and 3) aldosterone may act on the central nervous system via the posterior pituitary gland to release vasopressin (ADH) which serves to conserve water by direct actions on renal tubular resorption.