AMG-487 is a potent and selective orally bioavailable chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3) antagonist that displays dose- and time-dependent pharmacokinetics in human subjects after multiple oral dosing. AMG-487 is an 8-azaquinazolinone, it can prevent the chemokines I-IP-10 and I-ITAC from binding to CXCR3. The preclinical properties of AMG487 has been extensively studied. The compound displays a greater than 1000-fold selectivity for CXCR3 versus a panel of other receptors, including 11 chemokine receptors. The safety profile of AMG487, as assessed by various genotoxicity and cardiotoxicity assays, revealed no major concerns. The ability of AMG487 to inhibit inflammatory cell migration in vivo was confirmed in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced cellular recruitment, where AMG487 significantly reduced infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes into the lungs in CXCR3-KO mice. In a mouse model for idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS), AMG487 reduced recruitment of donor T cells to the lung after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, leading to improved survival rates. Likewise, reductions in inflammation, pannus formation, and cartilage damage were observed upon administering AMG487. The preclinical studies convincingly paved the way for clinical studies on two inflammation-related diseases: psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. In 2003, results of a Phase I trial on AMG487 were disclosed. The compound was assessed for safety and pharmacokinetics in 30 healthy males in a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled dose-escalation study. Generally, the compound was well tolerated and adverse events were mild to moderate. Disappointingly, no significant differences in the endpoints (psoriasis severity index or physician global assessment scores) were seen between patient groups. AMG-487 progressed to Phase II clinical trials but has been withdrawn because of lack of efficacy.

Bz-423 is an inhibitor of the mitochondrial F(1)F(0)-ATPase, with therapeutic properties in murine models of immune diseases.Bz-423,a proapoptotic 1,4-benzodiazepine, potently suppresses disease in the murine model of lupus by selectively killing pathogenic lymphocytes. In MRL/MpJ-Fas(lpr) (MRL-lpr) mice, Bz-423 overcomes deficient expression of the Fas death receptor and hyperactivation of antiapoptotic phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling to specifically kill pathogenic CD4(+) T cells. Bz-423 binds to the oligomycin-sensitivity-conferring protein component of the mitochondrial F(0)F(1)-ATPase, which modulates the enzyme leading to formation of superoxide by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Scavenging this reactive oxygen species blocks all subsequent components of the apoptotic cascade. Bz-423 is a promising new drug for treatment of autoimmune diseases, it binds to subunit OSCP of the mitochondrial enzyme FoF1-ATP synthase and modulates its catalytic activities.

Arotinoid acid (Ro 13-7410, TTNPB) is the third generation of synthetic retinoid, which was developed for the treatment of psoriasis and other hyperkeratotic skin disorders. The therapeutically active dose is less than 0.5 ug/kg body weight/day. Arotinoid Acid is an agonist of RAR with IC50 values of 3.8nM, 4nM and 4.5nM for RARα, RARβ and RARγ, respectively. Naturally occurring vitamin A-like compounds such as all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) are responsible for regulating growth and differentiation in the cell, and many of them have shown promising anticancer effects. Bioassays in vivo and in culture showed that TTNPB is more potent than atRA, mainly because of its higher molecular stability. The effects of TTNPB, which include control of epidermal keratinocytes and murine teratocarcinoma cells and antiproliferative effects on Kaposi´s sarcoma, breast cancer, cervical carcinoma, and leukemia cells have been known for some time. Furthermore, TTNPB proved to be 100 times more effective than atRA in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells. However, TTNPB is more teratogenic than atRA, which limits its use as a chemotherapeutic agent in humans. Arotinoid acid (AGN193198) has being shown to be useful for the treatment of pancreatic cancer among other types of cancer.

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.

Quaternium-15, a preservative, is one of the most used substances and is added to several cosmetics and other industrial products. Quaternium-15 is a mixture of isomers, where the cis-form is the dominant form and where the trans-form is the minor component present as an impurity. Quaternium-15 can be found under a variety of names, most commonly those of the Dow Chemical Company: Dowicil 200 (cis isomer only), Dowicil 75 and Dowicil 100 (both a mix of cis and trans isomers). The isolated cis-compound is used primarily in cosmetic applications, with a maximum permitted concentration in the EU of 0.2%. DOWICIL 200 preservative (cis form) is used primarily as a preservative in a wide variety of personal-care and cosmetic products. It is designed to provide highly effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, especially in water-based formulations. It is used in both leave-on and rinse-off application such as baby-care products, hair-care products, lotions, powders, and creams. The mixed product (cis- and trans-) is used in a wider range of formulations such as: emulsifiable metal-cutting fluids; latex and emulsion paints; liquid floor polishes and floor waxes; glues and adhesives. Recently, the cis-form has been classified as a CMR substance with the classification toxic to reproduction, category 3. This classification only concerns the cis-isomer:

Etretinate (trade name Tegison) is a medication developed by Hoffmann–La Roche that was approved by the FDA in 1986 to treat severe psoriasis. It is a second-generation retinoid. It was subsequently removed from the Canadian market in 1996 and the United States market in 1998 due to the high risk of birth defects. Etretinate remains on the market in Japan as Tigason. The mechanism of action of etretinate is still incompletely understood although, like retinoic acid, it is thought to interfere with the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes. Etretinate activates retinoid receptors, causing an induction of cell differentiation, inhibition of cell proliferation, and inhibition of tissue infiltration by inflammatory cells.

Azaribine (2′, 3′, 5′-triacetyl-6-azauridine) is the orally absorbable triacetylated derivative of the pyrimidine analog 6-azauridine. Ribonucleoside of 6-azauracil, which can be derived in the tissues by the deacetylation of azaribine, has been shown, after its intracellular conversion to 6-azauridine-5'-monophosphate, to serve as an inhibitor of the activity of a key enzyme, orotidine-5'-monophosphate (OMP) decarboxylase, critically concerned with the biosynthesis de novo of pyrimidines essential for the formation of nucleic acids. Azaribine exerts antineoplastic action. In 1975 azaribine was approved for the treatment of psoriasis. The drug was withdrawn because it may cause life-threatening or fatal blood clots in the veins and arteries.

Beta-carotene is found in many foods and is sold as a dietary supplement. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid, weak antioxidant; precursor of vitamin A, which is essential for vision and growth. Used to reduce the severity of photosensitivity reactions in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Has been used in high-dose antioxidant supplements containing ascorbic acid and vitamin E with zinc in high-risk patients with age-related macular degeneration. Beta-carotene is also used to decrease asthma symptoms caused by exercise; to prevent certain cancers, heart disease, cataracts; and to treat AIDS, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, epilepsy, headache, heartburn, high blood pressure, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, and skin disorders including psoriasis and vitiligo.

Chloranil is an oxidant, practically useful for dehydrogenation to aromatic and alpha,beta-desaturated carbonyl compounds. Chloranil was found to inhibit human carboxylesterases: carboxylesterase 1 and 2, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. In 1950s chloranil ointment was used for the treatment of psoriasis and onychomycosis.

Novobiocin (also known as streptonivicin) is an aminocoumarin antibiotic, active against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Novobiocin and other aminocoumarin antibiotics act as a potent competitive inhibitor of DNA gyrase B. The oral form of the drug was withdrawn from the market in 1999 due to safety or effectiveness reasons. Later it was discovered that novobiocin inhibited Hsp90 and topoisomerase II, and novobiocin was investigated in clinical trials against metastatic breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Topical form of novobiocin was investigated in combination with nalidixic acid for treatment of psoriasis.