Cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) is a potent HO-1 inducer and generally known to be an antioxidant in various cell types. CoPP has been shown to downregulate various cytochrome P450 isoforms, and various mechanisms of action have been attributed to its ability to induced HO- 1. It has also been used to promote endogenous carbon dioxide (CO) generation and protect against myocardial infarction in vivo. CoPP also participated in regulating the inflammatory response in CNS which mainly suppressed inflammatory component. It has been demonstrated that CoPP reduced LPS/Interleukin 13 (IL-13)-induced microglial death.

Licochalcone A (LicA) is a flavonoid isolated from the famous Chinese medicinal herb Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer. However, its pharmacological mechanism is not well defined. The anti-Inflammatory effects of LicA on IL-1β-Stimulated human osteoarthritis chondrocytes was reached by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway. LicA showed anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in breast cancer cells through regulating Sp1 and apoptosis-related proteins in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. In addition, the chemotherapeutic potential of LicA for treatment of human cervical cancer was achieved by inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling.

Fucoxanthin isis a marine carotenoid mainly found in brown algae, giving them a brown or olive-green color. Fucoxanthin is investigated for its anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and anti-cancer effects. In vivo studies have demonstrated that oral administration of fucoxanthin inhibited carcinogenesis in an animal model of duodenal, skin, colon and liver cancer. Fucoxanthin causes antitumor and anticarcinogenic effects by inducing G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis by modulating expression of various cellular molecules and cellular signal transduction pathways, but the exact mechanism of anti-cancer action of fucoxanthin is not fully elucidated. Fucoxanthin regulates lipids metabolism, the effect most likely mediated by AMK-activated protein kinase. A clinical trial of fucoxanthin against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is ongoing.

Rimiducid (AP1903) is a lipid-permeable tacrolimus analogue with homodimerizing activity. Rimiducid homodimerizes an analogue of human protein FKBP12 (Fv) which contains a single acid substitution (Phe36Val). This agent is used to homodimerize the Fv-containing drug-binding domains of genetically engineered proteins such as the iCD40 receptor, Fas intracellular domain or iCaspase 9 resulting in downstream signaling activation during cell therapy. Orphan designation was granted for rimiducid (AP1903) for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease.

D-aspartic acid is an essential amino acid and a key ingredient in various testosterone boosting anti-estrogen supplements. D-aspartic acid is not used to build proteins; instead, it plays a role in making and releasing hormones in the body. It is an endogenous NMDA receptor agonist with similar activity to the L-isomer. D-aspartic acid also enhances the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone. This action is mediated in the pituitary by cGMP and in the testis by cAMP, which acts as the second messengers in the signal transduction in the pituitary and testes respectively. The pituitary and testis possess a D-Aspartate racemase, which provides the necessary production of this isomer.

Pfizer was developing PF-04991532, a potent and selective hepatoselective glucokinase activator. PF-04991532 ameliorates hyperglycemia without causing hepatic steatosis in diabetic rats. F-04991532 reduced plasma glucose concentrations independent of changes in insulin concentrations in a dose-dependent manner both acutely and after 28 days of sub-chronic treatment. PF-04991532 may offer glycemic control without inducing hepatic steatosis supporting the evaluation of tissue specific activators in clinical trials. In 2012, Pfizer discontinued the development of the compound.

Puerarin (7, 4’-dihydroxyisolavone-8-β-glucopyranoside) is an active isoflavone extracted from the roots of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. Puerarin is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, and is clinically used in China for the treatment of coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension and myocardial infarction. It has been reported that puerarin had therapeutic effects on diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis and myocardial ischemia in animals. Puerarin demonstrated beta-adrenergic receptor blocking effect. On the other hand, puerarin stimulated alpha1-adrenoreceptor to increase glucose uptake into cultured C2C12 cells of mice. Puerarin has been investigated for the treatment (phase II clinical trials) of Alcohol Abuse, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hypertension.

Dihydromyricetin is a flavonoid component from the Ampelopsis species japonica, megalophylla, and grossedentata; Cercidiphyllum japonicum; Hovenia dulcis; Rhododendron cinnabarinum; some Pinus species; and some Cedrus species, as well as Salix sachalinensis. Dihydromyricetin exerts a more rapid antidepressant-like effect than does a typical antidepressant, in association with enhancement of BDNF expression and inhibition of neuroinflammation. Dihydromyricetin inhibited the proliferative potential of fibroblasts in the lung cancer cells through targeting the activation of Erk1/2 and Akt. Therefore, there is scope for dihydromyricetin to be evaluated further for the treatment of lung cancer. Dihydromyricetin supplementation improves glucose and lipid metabolism as well as various biochemical parameters in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and the therapeutic effects of dihydromyricetin are likely attributable to improved insulin resistance and decreases in the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, cytokeratin-18, and fibroblast growth factor 21.