Aconitine is an alkaloid found in the Aconitum species. Aconitine is a highly toxic cardiotoxin and neurotoxin. In China and other countries, the herbal extract containing aconitine was used for the treatment of pain in musculoskeletal disorders, however the safety margin between therapeutic analgesic effect of aconitine and its known cardiotoxic effect is so narrow that the treatment may cause poisoning and death. The mechanism of aconitine action is explained by its ability to activate voltage-dependent sodium-ion channels.

Melatonin (5-methoxy N-acetyltryptamine) is a hormone synthesized and released from the pineal gland at night, which acts on specific high affinity G-protein coupled receptors to regulate various aspects of physiology and behaviour, including circadian and seasonal responses, and some retinal, cardiovascular and immunological functions. Melatonin is also made synthetically and available without a prescription as an over-the-counter (OTC) dietary supplement in the U.S. Melatonin supplementation has many uses, however, it has been widely studied for treatment of jet lag and sleep disorders. Parents may consider using melatonin to help their child who has a trouble falling asleep. A medical professional should always evaluate insomnia or other sleeping disorders in children. Additionally, melatonin has been shown to protect against oxidative stress in various, highly divergent experimental systems. There are many reasons for its remarkable protective potential. In mammals, melatonin binds to a number of receptor subtypes including high-affinity (MT1 and MT2) and low-affinity (MT3, nuclear orphan receptors) binding sites, which are distributed throughout the central nervous system and periphery.

Cinchophen, phenylcinchoninic acid, seems to have been discovered in 1887 by Doebner and Gieseke and to have been introduced into medicine under the trade name of atophan in 1908 by Nicolaier and Dohrn. Since that time it has been used extensively for gout as well as for other forms of arthritis and for the relief of pain of all types. Use of Cinchophen in humans ceased in the 1930s due to the discovery that it can cause serious liver damage.

Antipyrine is an analgesic and antipyretic that has been given by mouth and as ear drops. It is often used in testing the effects of other drugs or diseases on drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. It inhibits cyclooxygenases and shows little anti-inflammatory activity. Like many old and approved substances after almost 100 years of use, antipyrine has been associated with some serious side effects, namely agranulocytosis and shock reactions.

Quinine ascorbate is a salt of antimalarial drug quinine and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Ascorbate reduces the potency of quinolone-containing anti-malarial drugs. Quinine ascorbate was marketed as a component of over-the-counter smoking deterrent products but was not recognized as safe by the FDA regulation in 1993.

Citicoline (CDP-choline; cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine) is a novel nutrient with a broad spectrum of benefits for conditions associated with symptoms of neurological dysfunction shows promise of clinical efficacy in elderly patients with cognitive deficits, inefficient memory, and early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Citicoline has also been investigated as a therapy in stroke patient. Despite it was approved in some countries for treatment Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the use of this drug for acute TBI seems to have no field of support anymore, whereas it may have some benefits in improving the neuro-cognitive state in chronic TBI patients. It's also recommended to keep in mind acute interventions like Psychological First Aid (PFA) during acute TBI management. Citicoline plays several important roles in human physiology, including enhancement of structural integrity and signaling for cell membranes, support of acetylcholine synthesis, and synthesis of betaine, a methyl donor. The precise mechanism of action of Citicoline to treat disease is unknown, but was confirmed, that drug might increase phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) synthesis and might reverse PtdCho loss. In addition, was shown, that citicoline modulates phospholipids metabolism and neurotransmitter levels and appears to improve cognition in some central nervous system disorders such as bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence. Bipolar disorder is associated with the highest rates of substance abuse of any psychiatric disorder. Cocaine use is particularly common in patients with bipolar disorder.

Epichatechin is one of the 4 catechin diastereoisomers. It can be isolated from a number of species of Palmae, as well as Dryas octopetala and guarana seeds. Epicatechin has been widely studied as a potential therapeutic compound in a wide variety of conditions including cancers, diabetes, heart conditions, and neurological conditions. Epicatechin is available as a natural health supplement and marketed for bodybuilding and the treatment of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, immune support, low testosterone, high blood sugar, and improved memory.

Berberine, an alkaloid isolated from Rhizoma Coptidis, is known to have a wide array of therapeutic effects including antimicrobial, antineoplastic, and hepatoprotective effects. It is found in several plants including European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree tumeric. Berberine seems to slightly reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Berberine might lower blood pressure. Berberine is possibly safe for most adults for short-term use when taken by mouth or applied to the skin.

Peoniflorin (PF) is the chief active component of paeonia, with diverse pharmacological actions and wide application. According to current study findings, PF can ameliorate the decline of memory and learning capacities in many dementia model animals, and have effect in protecting the cerebral ischemia injury, treating Parkinson's disease, reliving pain and improving neural synapse plasticity. Peoniflorin is an Adenosine A1 receptor activator with neuroprotective and antidepressant effects. Upregulates serotonergic systems in vivo. Blood brain barrier permeable. Preclinical studies show that peoniflorin is able to diminish pain, joint swelling, synovial hypertrophy, and the severity of bone erosion and cartilage degradation in experimental arthritis. In China, Korea, and Japan, a decoction of the dried root without bark of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis, dysmenorrhea, muscle cramping and spasms, and fever for more than 1200 years. A water/ethanol extract of the root is now known as total glucosides of peony (TGP), which contains more than 15 components. Peoniflorin is the most abundant ingredient and accounts for the pharmacological effects observed with TGP in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Cytisine ( aka baptitoxine and sophorine) is a naturally occurring alkaloid that can be found in several plant genera, such as Laburnum and Cytisus of the family Fabaceae. It has been found to be clinically superior to nicotine replacement therapy for the cessation of smoking. It is available in Eastern Europe under the brand names Tabex and Desmoxan and in Canada under the brand name Cravv. However certain undesirable side effects exist, Cytisine can interfere with breathing and cause death (LD50 i.v., in mice, is about 2 mg/kg) and Cytisine is also teratogenic. Cytosine is an α4β2 nicotinic Acetylcholine receptor agonist. In addition to clinical use as a smoking cessation aid, It has demonstrated anti-depressant effects in mice.