Tribromsalan (trade name Temasept IV) is a member of brominated salicylanilides chemical family. Was initially registered in 1964 manufactured by Hexcel Corporation, Sherwin Williams Chemicals. It is a pesticide type with antimicrobial and preservative features found its application in hard surfaces, laundry, textiles, and manufactured products. Types of tribromsalan formulations include solid, solutions, and sprays and its usual carrier is soap. Limited exposure is possible based on the registered uses of these products as disinfectants, laundry additives, textile preservatives, and manufactured products and do not include direct application to a food or feed crop. In 1974 FDA directed the removal of tribromsalan drug products from the market because it was found to make skin extrasensitive to light. For the same reason it was forbidden in Europe since the 1970s. Since 1982 the OTC topical antimicrobial drug products rulemaking was reopened and included tribromsalan in a list of antimicrobial OTC Drug Products. At present tribromsalan is considered an antiseptic active ingredient eligible for the OTC use as a consumer antiseptic hand and body wash drug product. It was reported that tribromsalan, inhibits NF-kappaB signaling via inhibition of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation with IC50 of 7.9 uM. This finding provides new information on activities and mechanisms of action that may suggest mechanisms of potential novel applications in cancer treatment of such drugs as tribromsalan.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), also known as mustard oil, is one of the most common naturally occurring isothiocyanates, which occurs in many common cruciferous vegetables. Besides antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of pathogens, it showed anticancer activity in both cultured cancer cells and animal models, although the underlining mechanisms remain largely undefined. Allyl isothiocyanate is a TRPA1 and TRPV1 agonist and pungency and lachrymatory effects of Allyl isothiocyanate are mediated through the TRPA1 and TRPV1 ion channels. Allyl isothiocyanate irritates the mucous membranes and induces eczematous or vesicular skin reactions.

Bruceantin is a compound isolated from Brucea antidysenteriea, a plant used in Ethiopia as an anticancer treatment. The primary action of Bruceantin appears to be an inhibition of protein synthesis which takes place at the ribosomal level. Bruceantin induced marked decreases of c-myc mRNA and protein expression in all cell lines. Bruceantin-induced c-myc downregulation might trigger cell death mechanisms preferentially in those cell lines with wild-type p53 protein expression. Bruceantin was evaluated in three separate phase I clinical trials in patients with various types of solid tumors. Hypotension, nausea, and vomiting were common side effects at higher doses, but hematologic toxicity was moderate to insignificant and manifested mainly as thrombocytopenia. Bruceantin was then tested in two separate phase II trials including adult patients with metastatic breast cancer and malignant melanoma. No objective tumor regressions were observed, and clinical trials were terminated.

Ginkgolide B belongs to the class of organic compounds known as ginkgolides and bilobalides. These are diterpene lactones with a structure based either on the gingkolide or the bilobalide skeleton. The ginkgolide skeleton is a very rigid structure consisting of hexacyclic C20 trilactone. The cis-fused F/A/D/C ring junction forms an empty semi-ball hole, the D ring contains a cage form tetrahydrofuran ring which occupies the center of the empty hole, and the oxygen atoms of the D,C and F ring and 10-hydroxyl group consist of an analogous crown ether structure. Ginkgolide B is one of the ginkgolides isolated from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree. The Ginkgolide B is the most potent antagonist of platelet activating factor (PAF) and exhibits therapeutic action in a variety of diseases mainly by the PAF receptor. The ginkgolide B possesses a number of beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. It promotes the proliferation, migration and adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells, and the induction of angiogenesis through vascular endothelial factor (VEGF). Ginkgolide B is considered a valid non-pharmacological (or nutraceutical) approach to the prophylaxis of both migraine with and without aura. Effects of ginkgolide B include reduction of Ca2+-stimulated intracellular events, scavenging of free radicals, modulation of central nervous system glutamatergic transmission and reduction of antiplatelet activating factor (PAF) levels in brain. Ginkgolide B is an active component of EGb, a standardised extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves. Ginkgolide B is one of the major components of EGb-761.

Ligustrazine (tetramethylpyrazine) is a bioactive ingredient extracted from the widely-used Chinese herb, Chuanxiong. It inhibits of platelet aggregation, enhances of vessel dilation, increases cerebral blood flow and possesses neuroprotective properties. The injection solution of ligustrazine has been used especially in China to treat ischemic stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetic nephropathy, and knee osteoarthritis. Ligustrazine was also evaluated in clinical as a remedy for pressure sores, as a salvage agent for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as a treatment for bronchial asthma and vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

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.

Imepitoin (AWD 131–138 or ELB 138; 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-morpholino-imidazolin-2-one) is a new anti-epileptic drug recently approved in the European Union for the treatment of canine idiopathic epilepsy. It was developed from a series of imidazolinones due to its pronounced ant seizure activity in a large variety of rodent models of epileptic seizures, combined with a high tolerability in these models. Imepitoin is a centrally acting antiepileptic substance, which crosses the blood brain barrier without involvement of active transport or active clearance, resulting in immediate equilibrium between plasma and brain. Imepitoin acts as low-affinity partial agonists at the benzodiazepine (BZD) site of the GABAA receptor. Hopefully, that the favorable profile of imepitoin for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs will reactivate the interest in partial BZD site agonists as new treatments for human epilepsy.

Sesamin is the most prominent lignan compound found in sesame seeds, one of the two highest sources of lignans in the human diet (the other being flax). Sesamin is catered to be a nutritional supplement that confers antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects (if touting its health properties) or possibly being an estrogen receptor modulator and fat burner (if targeting atheltes or persons wishing to lose weight). Sesamin has a few mechanisms, and when looking at it holistically it can be summed up as a fatty acid metabolism modifier. It appears to inhibit an enzyme known as delta-5-desaturase (Δ5-desaturase) which is a rate-limiting enzyme in fatty acid metabolism; inhibiting this enzyme results in lower levels of both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, one of the two fish oil fatty acids) as well as arachidonic acid, and this mechanism appears to be relevant following oral ingestion. The other main mechanism is inhibiting a process known as Tocopherol-ω-hydroxylation, which is the rate limiting step in the metabolism of Vitamin E; by inhibiting this enzyme, sesamin causes a relative increase of vitamin E in the body but particularly those of the gamma subset (γ-tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol) and this mechanism has also been confirmed to be active following oral ingestion. Sesamin is a potent and specific inhibitor of delta 5 desaturase in polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Sesamin inhibits a particular CYP3A enzymes that is involved in vitamin E metabolism, where the enzyme initially ω-hydroxylates vitamin E (required step) and then the rest of vitamin E is subject to fat oxidation. By inhibiting this step, sesamin causes an increase in circulating and organ concentrations of vitamin E. Sesamin is thought to have PPARα activating potential in the liver, but it is uncertain how much practical relevance this has in humans due to this being a mechanism that differs between species.