Licochalcone A (LicA) is a flavonoid isolated from the famous Chinese medicinal herb Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer. However, its pharmacological mechanism is not well defined. The anti-Inflammatory effects of LicA on IL-1β-Stimulated human osteoarthritis chondrocytes was reached by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway. LicA showed anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in breast cancer cells through regulating Sp1 and apoptosis-related proteins in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. In addition, the chemotherapeutic potential of LicA for treatment of human cervical cancer was achieved by inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling.

Odanacatib is a potent, selective, and neutral cathepsin K inhibitor, an enzyme involved in bone resorption. Merck & Co was developing odanacatib, a once-weekly, oral Odanacatib, for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteoporosis in men. Merck & Co. has discontinued development of its cathepsin K inhibitor odanacatib, citing an increased risk of cardiovascular events for the osteoporosis drug.

GW842166 is a pyrimidine cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor agonist that was being developed by GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of inflammatory pain. It has potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic actions in animal models, but without cannabis-like behavioural effects due to its extremely low affinity for the CB1 receptor. GW842166 shows similar potency and efficacy for rat and human recombinant CB2 receptors with EC50 of 91 nM and 63nM, respectively. GW842166 is in Phase 2 trial.

Pralnacasan is a potent, non-peptide inhibitor of interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE, aka Caspase-1). It was originally discovered by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and licensed for development to Aventis Pharma. In 2003 Aventis and Vertex Pharmaceuticals agreed to voluntarily discontinue development based on results from a 9-month animal toxicity trial that showed liver abnormalities due to chronic high doses of pralnacasan. Pralnacasan has also been investigated for the treatment of Partial Epilepsy; advancing to Phase II clinical trials.

Cipemastat (Ro 32-3555, tentative trade name Trocade) is a dipeptide, potent, competitive inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1, 8 and 13, which was under development by Roche for the potential treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Cipemastat is a selective inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1, 8 and 13 over the related human matrix metalloproteinases stromelysin 1, and gelatinases A and B. Cipemastat mediated MMP inhibition leads to block the final common event in the destructive cascade resulting in the breakdown of cartilage and bone. Trocade has also been shown to inhibit cartilage destruction in vivo and to prevent structural joint damage in animal models of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Cipemastat was in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, Roche discontinued the development of cipemastat because of an unfavorable risk-benefit profile.

Licofelone (ML 3000) is a pyrrolizine derivative originally discovered by Merckle GmbH and developed by EuroAllaince with a unique pharmacological profile, which comprises optimal gastrointestinal tolerability and high analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. These effects are due to balanced and selective inhibition of both cyclo-oxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase. Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase may reduce the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with other non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which only inhibit cyclooxygenase. Licofelone also has antipyretic and antiaggregatory properties. Clinical and preclinical trials were also undertaken for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, pain and inflammation. However, development for these indications appear to have been discontinued.

Senegenin (Tenuigenin) is a natural product from Polygala tenuifolia used in Chinese medicine to improve memory and intelligence. Senegenin attenuated hepatic ischemia-reperfusion induced cognitive dysfunction via increasing NR2B expression in rat hippocampus. Senegenin displayed antiapoptotic and antioxidative activity in hippocampal neurons due to scavenging of intracellular reactive oxygen species, regulating Bcl-2 family and suppressing caspase-3 activity. In vitro studies have indicated that senegenin treatment suppresses secretion of amyloid β protein and attenuate its cytotoxicity. Anti-inflammatory effect of senegenin is expressed via inhibition of NF-κB activation and was investigated in preclinical models of pneumonia, osteoarthritis, acute liver injury and other diseases.

Cryptotanshinone is one of the major tanshinones isolated from the roots of the plant Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen). Danshen has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of a variety of diseases, including coronary artery disease, acute ischemic stroke, hyperlipidemia, chronic renal failure, chronic hepatitis, and Alzheimer's disease, showing no serious adverse effects. Recent studies have shown that cryptotanshinone not only possesses the potential for treatment and prevention of the above-mentioned diseases, but also is a potent anticancer agent. In vitro studies have demonstrated that cryptotanshinone inhibits cell proliferation in a variety of cancer cell lines, including rhabdomyosarcoma, melanoma, cervical, colon, breast and prostate cancer cells. It has been described that cryptotanshinone induced a G1/G0 cell cycle arrest in rhabdomyosarcoma (Rh30) and prostate cancer (DU145) cells by downregulating expression of cyclin D1 and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb), but induced a G2/ M cell cycle arrest in melanoma (B16) cells via upregulating expression of Cdc25c, cyclin A1 and cyclin B1. Cryptotanshinone inhibiting expression of Aurora A kinase led to significant suppression of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in mice. Cryptotanshinone also induces cell death in cancer cells.

Kaempferol (3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) is a flavonoid found in many edible plants (e.g. tea, broccoli, cabbage, kale, beans, endive, leek, tomato, strawberries and grapes) and in plants or botanical products commonly used in traditional medicine (e.g. Ginkgo biloba, Tilia spp, Equisetum spp, Moringa oleifera, Sophora japonica and propolis). Numerous preclinical studies have shown that kaempferol and some glycosides of kaempferol have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anti-osteoporotic, estrogenic/antiestrogenic, anxiolytic, analgesic and antiallergic activities.

PD-198306 is a cell-permeable, amino-benzamide derivative that acts as a potent and non-ATP-competitive inhibitor of MEK1/2 with an excellent selectivity over ERK, c-Src, Cdk's, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase γ. In vitro PD-198306 inhibits MEK activity in synovial fibroblasts at concentrations of 30–100 nM, depending on the species. PD 198306 has a bioavailability of 62% when taken orally and is active in several animal models of rheumatoid arthritis, including rat streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis and rat adjuvant arthritis. PD 198306 can partially decrease the development of some of the structural changes in experimental osteoarthritis model. PD 198306 dose-dependently blocked static allodynia in both the streptozocin and the chronic constriction injury (CCI) models of neuropathic pain. The antihyperalgesic effects of PD 198306, in both the streptozocin and CCI models of neuropathic pain, correlated with a reduction in the elevated levels of active ERK1 and 2 in a lumbar spinal cord.