Honokiol is a biphenolic natural product isolated from the bark and leaves of Magnolia plant spp. Honokiol possesses anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-angiogenic as well as the inhibitory effect on malignant transformation of papillomas to carcinomas in vitro and in vivo animal models without any appreciable toxicity. Honokiol affects multiple signaling pathways, molecular and cellular targets including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), STAT3, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cell survival signaling, cell cycle, cyclooxygenase and other inflammatory mediators, etc. Honokiol can permeate the blood-brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid to increase its bioavailability in neurological tissues. Diverse studies have provided evidence on the neuroprotective effect of honokiol in the central nervous system, due to its potent antioxidant activity, and amelioration of the excitotoxicity mainly related to the blockade of glutamate receptors and reduction in neuroinflammation. Honokiol can attenuate neurotoxicity exerted by abnormally aggregated Abeta in Alzheimer's disease. Honokiol is being developed by Huons as HL tablet for the treatment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Matrine is an active alkaloid, extracted from a traditional Chinese herbs of the Sophora family. Matrine has been reported for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. It was demonstrated that the antinociceptive effects of ( )-matrine was mediated by mu- and kappa-opioid receptors. It could dose-dependently restore the balance of Th17/Treg cytokines and attenuate the cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease rats. Sophora flavescens and its bioactive compound, matrine alleviated caffeine-induced hyperactivity and promoted non-rapid eye movement sleep by activating ventrolateral preoptic nucleus neurons and modulating serotonergic transmission. Clinical trial results indicate, that intramuscular matrine may be an economical, efficacious, safe drug for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Matrine injection may be used to protect the liver function for patients with primary hepatic carcinoma after trans-artery chemo-embolization (TAE), to relieve the liver cells damage, and to improve the tolerance of TAE, so as to perform the next TAE in time.

Parabens are widely used preservatives in basic necessities such as cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. It was found, that butylparaben has estrogenic and antiandrogenic properties and is known to reduce sperm counts in rats following perinatal exposure. In addition was observed, that butylparaben exerted endocrine disrupting effects on both male and female offspring. In 2009-2010, 80 pregnant women from Ottawa Canada participated in the Plastics and Personal-Care Product Use in Pregnancy (P4) Study. Women kept a diary of products that they used 24 h prior to and during the collection. All parabens measured in maternal urine had moderate to high reproducibility. Women who used lotions in the past 24 h had significantly higher geometric mean paraben concentrations (80-110%) in their urine than women who reported no use in the past 24 h. Women who used shampoo, conditioner, and cosmetics also showed 70-80% higher butylparaben concentrations in their urine.

BI-847325 is a novel, ATP-competitive, orally available inhibitor of Aurora kinases and MEK. In in vitro studies, BI-847325 inhibited the activity of Xenopus laevis Aurora Kinase B with an IC50 of 3 nM; with IC50 values for human Aurora kinase A and Aurora kinase C being 25 and 15 nM, respectively. BI-847325 also inhibited human MEK1 and MEK2 with respective IC50 values of 25 and 4 nM. BI-847325 had been in phase I clinical trials by Boehringer Ingelheim for the treatment of solid tumours. However, there is no development reported for this study.

Propoxur (Baygon) is a carbamate insecticide that has recently attracted considerable attention as a possible treatment option for addressing the bedbug epidemic. Propoxur is a non-systemic insecticide with a fast knockdown and long residual effect used against the turf, forestry, and household pests and fleas. The generally accepted mechanism of toxicity for propoxur involves the inhibition of cholinesterase. Propoxur is also used in pest control for other domestic animals, Anopheles mosquitoes, ants, gypsy moths, and other agricultural pests. It can also be used as a molluscicide. Several U.S. states have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use propoxur against bedbug infestations, but the EPA has been reluctant to approve indoor use because of its potential toxicity to children after chronic exposure.

Bicyclol, also known as SY 801, is a hepatoprotective agent. Bicyclol upregulates transcription factor Nrf2, HO-1 expression and protects rat brains against focal ischemia. Bicyclol induces cell cycle arrest and autophagy in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the PI3K/AKT and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathways. Bicyclol attenuates tetracycline-induced fatty liver associated with inhibition of hepatic ER stress and apoptosis in mice. Bicyclol promotes toll-like 2 receptor recruiting inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase II to exert its anti-inflammatory effect. Phase Ⅰ~Ⅳ clinical trials and extensive application after market launch prove that, Bicyclol is suitable for the treatment of chronic viral and non-viral liver disease with elevated serum aminotransferase abnormalities, and is excellent in safety. This drug is recommended for liver protection and anti-inflammatory medication by Chinese Medical Association in Guidelines for Management of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Guidelines for Management of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, The Guideline of Prevention and Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B, Expert Consensus On Hepatic Inflammation and Its Prevention and other professional guidelines and consensus.

Ergosterol was discovered over 100 years ago in the plant pathogenic ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea. Ergosterol is the major fungal membrane sterol that regulates membrane fluidity, plasma membrane biogenesis and function. Antifungal drugs such as Amphotericin B exerts its action by simply binding ergosterol. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is derived from ergosterol by UVB irradiation. Ergocalciferol is used for treating low parathyroid hormone levels, rickets (a vitamin D deficiency condition), and low phosphate levels in the body.

Nirogacestat (PF-3084014) is a tetralin imidazole gamma-secretase inhibitor. Gamma-secretase, a proteolytic enzyme complex, mediates processing of several integral membrane proteins including amyloid precursor protein and Notch. This compound can inhibit both Notch-related pathway in neoplasia and reduces amyloid-β production. Nirogacestat (PF-3084014) is under development by Pfizer for the treatment of cancer.

Abemaciclib, previously known as LY2835219, is a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases: CDK4 and CDK6, developed by Eli Lilly, which is in clinical trial phase III for the treatment of breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in phase II for investigation of its treatment glioblastoma and melanoma.

Rucaparib is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of advanced mutant BRCA ovarian cancer. Rucaparib is being investigated in clinical trials against prostate cancer, breast cancer and other neoplasms.