Cucurbitacin I (JSI-124) is a novel selective triterpenoid that acts as a potent inhibitor of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway with anti-proliferative and anti-tumor properties. Cucurbitacin I specifically suppresses levels of tyrosine phosphorylated STAT3 in v-Src-transformed NIH 3T3 cells and in A549 cells (IC50 = 500 nM) resulting in inhibition of STAT3 DNA binding and reduced STAT3-mediated gene transcription. It also suppresses JAK2 phosphorylation but does not affect Src, ERK, JNK or Akt. In nude mice, cucurbitacin I (1 mg/kg/day) suppressed the growth of various tumors expressing constitutively active STAT3.1 It promotes the differentiation of dendritic cells and macrophages and enhances the effect of cancer immunotherapy. Cucurbitacin I (1 µM for 2 hours) reduced clonogenicity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in vitro and suppresses tumor growth in mice (1.3 mg/kg).

11-NOR-9-CARBOXY-DELTA9-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (THC-COOH) is the main the non-psychoactive metabolite of Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. Being most abundant in bodily fluids, it has become an established marker of cannabis consumption in forensic, clinical and environmental analyses. Among the cannabinoids tested as potential inhibitors of the drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp), which is responsible for the multidrug-resistance of a tumour and normal cells, THC-COOH behaved as a substrate and was the most active in stimulating Pgp-dependent ATPase. It displayed analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties apparently by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase activities. THC-COOH was not an anxiolytic or anxiogenic drug but abolished the anxiogenic behavioral effect of Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol.

P-Cresol is an end product of protein breakdown and also it is a fermentation metabolite of tyrosine. The mechanisms underlying colonic carbohydrate and protein fermentation, responsible for the generation of p-cresol, are only partially understood. After absorption, the majority of p-cresol is conjugated to form p-cresyl sulphate. There is clear evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, that accumulation of conjugated fermentation metabolites is correlated with clinical important endpoints. In renal failure, the colonic generation rate of p-cresol is markedly elevated. Free p-cresol is an independent predictor for mortality in hemodialysis patients. The accumulation of p-cresol increases the cardiovascular risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. It was shown, that p-cresol l triggered autophagic renal proximal tubular cells death via JNK-mediated p62 accumulation and then activated caspase 8-dependent cell death pathway. Thus p-cresol can be considered as one of the key events causing progression of CKD, which might affect drug disposition in CKD cases.

Lesinurad (brand name Zurampic) is a urate transporter inhibitor for treating hyperuricemia associated with gout in patients who have not achieved target serum uric acid levels with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor alone. In gout patients, Lesinurad lowered serum uric acid levels and increased renal clearance and fractional excretion of uric acid. Following single and multiple oral doses of Lesinurad to gout patients, dose-dependent decreases in serum uric acid levels and increases in urinary uric acid excretion were observed. Lesinurad reduces serum uric acid levels by inhibiting the function of transporter proteins involved in uric acid reabsorption in the kidney. Lesinurad inhibited the function of two apical transporters responsible for uric acid reabsorption, uric acid transporter 1 (URAT1) and organic anion transporter 4 (OAT4), with IC50 values of 7.3 and 3.7 µM, respectively. URAT1 is responsible for the majority of the reabsorption of filtered uric acid from the renal tubular lumen. OAT4 is a uric acid transporter associated with diuretic-induced hyperuricemia. Lesinurad does not interact with the uric acid reabsorption transporter SLC2A9 (Glut9), located on the basolateral membrane of the proximal tubule cell. Based on in vitro studies, lesinurad is an inhibitor of OATP1B1, OCT1, OAT1, and OAT3; however, lesinurad is not an in vivo inhibitor of these transporters. In vivo drug interaction studies indicate that lesinurad does not decrease the renal clearance of furosemide (substrate of OAT1/3), or affect the exposure of atorvastatin (substrate of OATP1B1) or metformin (substrate of OCT1). Based on in vitro studies, lesinurad has no relevant effect on P-glycoprotein.

Panobinostat is an oral deacetylace (DAC) inhibitor approved on February 23, 2015 by the FDA for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The approval was accelerated based on progression-free survival, therefore confirmatory trials by the sponsor to demonstrate clinical efficacy in multiple myeloma treatment are in progress of being conducted. Panobinostat is marketed by Novartis under the brand name Farydak. Panobinostat is a deacetylase (DAC) inhibitor. DACs, also known as histone DACs (HDAC), are responsible for regulating the acetylation of about 1750 proteins in the body; their functions are involved in many biological processes including DNA replication and repair, chromatin remodelling, transcription of genes, progression of the cell-cycle, protein degradation and cytoskeletal reorganization. In multiple myeloma, there is an overexpression of DAC proteins. Panobinostat inhibits class I (HDACs 1, 2, 3, 8), class II (HDACs 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10) and class IV (HDAC 11) proteins. Panobinostat's antitumor activity is believed to be attributed to epigenetic modulation of gene expression and inhibition of protein metabolism. Panobinostat also exhibits cytotoxic synergy with bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor concurrently used in treatment of multiple myeloma.

Ezogabine (U.S. adopted name) or retigabine (international nonproprietary name) is one of a family of aminopyrroles with anticonvulsant activity. It is used as an adjunctive treatment for partial epilepsies in treatment-experienced adult patients. The drug was approved by the European Medicines Agency under the trade name Trobalt and by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the trade name Potiga. The mechanism by which ezogabine exerts its therapeutic effects has not been fully elucidated. In vitro studies indicate that ezogabine enhances transmembrane potassium currents mediated by the KCNQ (Kv7.2 to 7.5) family of ion channels. By activating KCNQ channels, ezogabine is thought to stabilize the resting membrane potential and reduce brain excitability. This mechanism of action is unique among antiepileptic drugs, and may hold promise for the treatment of other neurologic conditions, including migraine, tinnitus and neuropathic pain. In vitro studies suggest that ezogabine may also exert therapeutic effects through augmentation of GABA-mediated currents.

Niclosamide is an antihelminth used against tapeworm infections. It may act by the uncoupling of the electron transport chain to ATP synthase. The disturbance of this crucial metabolic pathway prevents creation of adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP), an essential molecule that supplies energy for metabolism. Niclosamide works by killing tapeworms on contact. Adult worms (but not ova) are rapidly killed, presumably due to uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation or stimulation of ATPase activity. The killed worms are then passed in the stool or sometimes destroyed in the intestine. Niclosamide may work as a molluscicide by binding to and damaging DNA. Niclosamide is used for the treatment of tapeworm and intestinal fluke infections: Taenia saginata (Beef Tapeworm), Taenia solium (Pork Tapeworm), Diphyllobothrium latum (Fish Tapeworm), Fasciolopsis buski (large intestinal fluke). Niclosamide is also used as a molluscicide in the control of schistosomiasis. Niclosamide was marketed under the trade name Niclocide, now discontinued.

Triclosan was used as a hospital scrub in the 1970s. Since then, it has expanded commercially and is now prevalent in soaps (0.10-1.00%), shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, mouth washes, cleaning supplies and pesticides. It is part of consumer products, including kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks and trash bags. In healthcare, triclosan is used in surgical scrubs and hand washes. Use in surgical units is effective with a minimum contact time of approximately two minutes. More recently, showering with 2% triclosan has become a recommended regimen in surgical units for the decolonization of patients whose skin carries methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Triclosan is also used in the coatings for some surgical sutures. Triclosan has been employed as a selective agent in molecular cloning. At high concentrations, triclosan acts as a biocide with multiple cytoplasmic and membrane targets. However, at the lower concentrations seen in commercial products, triclosan appears bacteriostatic, and it targets bacteria primarily by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis. Triclosan binds to bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR) enzyme, which is encoded by the gene FabI. This binding increases the enzyme's affinity for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). This results in the formation of a stable, ternary complex of ENR-NAD+-triclosan, which is unable to participate in fatty acid synthesis. Fatty acids are necessary for building and reproducing cell membranes. Humans do not have an ENR enzyme and thus are not affected.

STANOLONE, also known as dihydrotestosterone, is a potent androgenic metabolite of testosterone and anabolic agent for systemic use. It may be used as a replacement of male sex steroids in men who have androgen deficiency, for example as a result of the loss of both testes, and also the treatment of certain rare forms of aplastic anemia which are or may be responsive to anabolic androgens.

Vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), a pleasant smelling organic aromatic compound, is widely used as a flavoring additive in food, beverage, cosmetic and drug industries. It is reported to cross the blood brain barrier and also displayed antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. Vanillin is a natural substance widely found in many plant species and often used in beverages, foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Antioxidant and anticancer potential have been described for this compound. Vanillin has been classified as a bioantimutagen and is able to inhibit mutagenesis induced by chemical and physical mutagens in various cell systems. Vanillin, a selective agonist of TRPV1, has been shown to attenuate i.c.v. STZ and AlCl3+d-galactose induced experimental Alzheime's disease (AD).