Acteoside (verbsacoside) is the one of the main active phenylethanoid glycosides from Cistanche deserticola, Lantana camara and some others herbs. It is known to have antioxidant and neuroprotective activity, and herbs containing it are used to enhance memory and can be studied for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It is known, that amyloid fibrils accumulation in cerebral can easily lead to neurodegenerative disorders. Acteoside has been reported to inhibit Aβ42 aggregation by activating nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), increasing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. It has also been shown that acteoside could decrease nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and caspase-3 expression. Acteoside is a natural antioxidant product unlike other anti-tumor compounds, is an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC). In addition Reh-acteoside, a general acteoside of Rehmannia leaves was studied in phase 2/3 clinical trials for patients with IgA nephropathy.

Idazoxan is an alpha2 receptor antagonist which also shows activity at imidazoline I1 and I2 receptors and modulates the release of dopamine. Idazoxan was in phase II development in the US. Later the development of idazoxan for schizophrenia was discontinued. It was also in clinical trials for cognition disorders in United Kingdom, and was also discontinued. Idazoxan is used in scientific research as a tool for the study of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Idazoxan`s diastereoisomers possess different relative selectivity for alpha2- pre- and postsynaptic receptors: (+)-idazoxan was 7-8 times more potent than (-)-idazoxan in inhibiting p-[3H]aminoclonidine binding, and 40 times more active in antagonizing clonidine at presynaptic level, indicating a better selectivity for alpha2-presynaptic sites. The pre- and postsynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors have a different affinity for the two enantiomers of idazoxan. Although the stereoisomers are closely related structurally, (+)-idazoxan possesses a stronger affinity for presynaptic sites. This stereoselectivity was less evident for postsynaptic sites. In rats and dogs, both enantiomers antagonized the sympathoinhibitory effects of clonidine. In rats, (+)- idazoxan was 4-7 times more potent than (-)- idazoxan and 3-8 times more than (-)- idazoxan in dogs. A same order of potency was observed against the sedative effects of clonidine and azepexole in chicks, (+)- idazoxan being 8 times more potent than (-)- idazoxan. Although (+)- idazoxan was more potent than (-) idazoxan, binding studies revealed (-)- idazoxan to be more selective than (+)- idazoxan at central sites. It is concluded that (+)- idazoxan antagonizes both alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors and (-)- idazoxan is selective for alpha-2 adrenoceptors. In the pithed rat, only (-)- idazoxan possesses both alpha-1 and alpha-2 agonistic effects.

CVT-6883 (GS 6201) is an A2B adenosine receptor antagonist originated by CV Therapeutics and developed by Gilead Sciences or the treatment of pulmonary diseases. In vitro studies have suggested that the activation of the A2B adenosine receptor may potentially have Proinflammatory and profibrotic effects that could be significant in the development of lung diseases. In adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficient mice, treatment with GS 6201 resulted in significantly less pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis, and alveolar airway enlargement compared with ADA-deficient mice treated with placebo. A range of doses of GS 6201 was well tolerated in healthy volunteers in a phase I multiple ascending dose trial.

Olesoxime (TRO19622) a small-molecule with a cholesterol-like structure has remarkable neuroprotective properties for motor neurons in cell culture and in rodents. The biopharmaceutical company Trophos initially developed this compound. This medicine is in phase II clinical trial in treating spinal muscular atrophy and in phase I for patients with stable relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. This drug was also investigated in phase III clinical trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but it did not demonstrate a significant increase in survival versus placebo and that study was discontinued. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the olesoxime promoted the function and survival of neurons and other cell types under disease-relevant stress conditions through interactions with the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP).

RO-20-1724 is a potent inhibitor of Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) originally developed by Roche. It showed some promise as a potential treatment for psoriasis, but it was discontinued when it could not match the efficacy of existing treatments. RO-20-1724 was also investigated as a potential treatment for asthma and septic shock.

JTC 801 was developed by Japan Tobacco as a novel opioid receptor-like1 (ORL(1)) receptor antagonist. It was found, that JTC-801 completely antagonized the suppression of nociceptin on the forskolin-induced accumulation of cyclic AMP using ORL(1) receptor expressing HeLa cells in vitro. JTC 801 produced analgesic effects and was studied in phase II of a clinical trial for the treatment of neuropathic, cancer and postoperative pain. Nevertheless, that studies were discontinued.

Echinacoside is a caffeic acid glycoside which is constituted from a trisaccharide consisting of two glucose and one rhamnose moieties glycosidically linked to one caffeic acid and on hydroxytyrosol residue at the centrally situated rhamnose. Echinacoside is the basic component of the roots of E. angustifolia and E. pallida, ranging from 0.5 to 1.0%. Echinacoside is reported to possess the immunostimulatory and high antioxidant activities

Shikonin is a major naphthoquinone compound found in the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and exhibits powerful anticancer activities for various cancer cells. Shikonin and its derivatives are characterized by a wide spectrum of antibacterial activities: high antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus et al.), a stable fungicidal effect towards Candida and Trichosporon fungi. Shikonin normalizes the production of the key mediators of inflammation IL-1 and IL-2, IFN-γ, reduces vascular permeability in the focus of inflammation, exhibiting a marked anti-inflammatory effect. Combined therapy with applications of a bio-polymeric film with shikonin and its esters (naphthoquinone derivatives) led to an obvious improvement of the clinical parameters and reduced the morphological signs of the buccal mucosal lesions. The drug was well tolerated by all patients and no side effects were recorded. Shikonin, as a naturally occurring, low-molecular-weight pan-chemokine receptor inhibitor, constitutes a basis for the development of novel anti-HIV therapeutic agents.

Selfotel is a competitive NMDA antagonist with (-)-enantiomer is more active than ( )-enantiomer. Selfotel was investigated in phase III clinical trials for ischemic stroke and severe head injury. Development of the drug was discontinued due to lack of efficacy and possible neurotoxicity discovered in clinical trials.

Sulforaphane is a naturally-occurring phytochemical belonging to the class of isothiocyanates. As the aglycone metabolite of glucosinolate glucoraphanin (sulforaphane glucosinolate), sulforaphane acts as an antioxidant and potent stimulator of endogenous detoxifying enzymes. This agent displays anticarcinogenic properties due to its ability to induce phase II detoxification enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase, thereby providing protection against certain carcinogens and toxic, reactive oxygen species. Broccoli sprouts contain large amounts of sulforaphane, which is also found in other cruciferous vegetables including cabbage and kale. Sulforaphane is under investigation for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia.