Hypericin (4,5,7,4',5',7'-hexahydroxy-2,2'-dimethylnaphtodianthrone) is a naturally occurring chromophore found in some species of the genus Hypericum, especially Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort), and in some basidiomycetes (Dermocybe spp.) or endophytic fungi (Thielavia subthermophila). Among its antidepressant and light-dependent antiviral actions, hypericin is a powerful natural photosensitizer that is applicable in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of various oncological diseases. Hypericin may act as an inhibitor of enzymes such as MAO (monoaminoxidase), PKC (protein kinase C), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, reverse transcriptase, telomerase and CYP (cytochrome P450), has yielded results supporting therapeutic potential. Research of hypericin and its effect on GABA-activated (gamma amino butyric acid) currents and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartat) receptors also indicate the therapeutic potential of this substance whereby new insights in stroke research (apoplexy) are expected. Topical SGX301 (synthetic hypericin as a potent photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy) is in phase 3 for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Ipriflavone (chemical structure: 7-isopropoxyisoflavone), derived from the soy isoflavone, daidzein, holds great promise for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. Ipriflavone (IP) was discovered in the 1930s but has only recently begun to be embraced by the medical community in this country. Over 150 studies on safety and effectiveness, both animal and human, have been conducted in Italy, Hungary, and Japan. As of 1997, 2,769 patients had been treated a total of 3,132 patient years. Preliminary studies have pointed to its effectiveness in the treatment of other conditions involving bone pathology, including Paget’s disease, hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, and tinnitus due to otosclerosis. Ipriflavone appears to have several mechanisms of action, all of which enhance bone density, making them seemingly superior to many of the other treatments available for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. IP also inhibits osteoclastic activity (motility and resorptive activity) by modulating intracellular free calcium. IP’s bone-forming mechanisms include stimulation of cell proliferation and maturation of osteoblasts by inhibiting calcium influx into osteoblasts and phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Despite similarities to estrogen, IP possesses no intrinsic estrogenic activity, but does potentiate estrogen. Importantly, IP does not change bone mineral composition or crystalline structure. A clinical trial reported in 2001 that it was not effective in prevention or treatment of osteoporosis.

Vinburnine is a nutritional product, a peripheral vasodilator with cerebral activities that also act as a cerebral metabolic stimulant and appears to be able to relax the smooth muscle cells within the walls of blood vessels. (+/-)-Eburnamonine is the racemate of the alkaloid Vinburnine. Dextrorotatory, levorotatory, and racemic forms of eburnamonine exist in nature. The (-)-form, also known as vincamone (isolated from Vinca minor), is a drug that possesses a stimulating activity for muscle and is used as cerebrotonic, whereas both enantiomers have hypotensive effects.

Arsanilic acid, also known as aminophenyl arsenic acid or aminophenyl arsonic acid, is an organoarsenic compound first reported in 1863 by Antoine Béchamp. Arsanilic acid is a crystalline powder introduced medically in the late 19th century as Atoxyl, its sodium salt was used by injection in the early 20th century as the first organic arsenical drug, but it was soon found prohibitively toxic for human use. Arsanilic acid saw long use as a veterinary feed additive promoting growth and to prevent or treat dysentery in poultry and swine. In 2013, its approval by US government as an animal drug was voluntarily withdrawn by its sponsors. Still sometimes used in laboratories, Arsanilic acid's legacy is principally through its influence on Paul Ehrlich in launching the chemotherapeutic approach to treating infectious diseases of humans.

Fenproporex is a central and indirect-acting sympathomimetic. It was developed as an anorectic drug. Their anorectic effects are believed to be a result of adrenergic activation. Fenproporex has never been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale in the US due to lack of efficacy and safety data. There is a paucity of randomized, placebo-controlled trials on Fenproporex. These studies suggest that Fenproporex is modestly effective in promoting weight loss. Data from these studies are insufficient to determine the risk-benefit profile of Fenproporex. Abuse potential and amphetamine-like adverse effects are causes for concern. Adverse effect most frequently reported are: insomnia, anxiety, depression, irritability, dry mouth.

Bucladesine is a cyclic nucleotide derivative which mimics the action of endogenous cAMP and is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The compound is used in a wide variety of research applications because it mimics cAMP and can induce normal physiological responses when added to cells in experimental conditions. cAMP is only able to elicit minimal responses in these situations. The neurite outgrowth instigated by bucladesine in cell cultures has been shown to be enhanced by nardosinone. Recently, the effect of bucladesine as a cAMP analog has been studied on the pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure in the wild-type mice. The data showed that bucladesine (300nM/mouse) reduced the seizure latency and threshold. In addition they found that combination of bucladesine and pentoxyfillin has additive effect on seizure latency and threshold. Bucladesine is more lipophilic than cAMP and in contrast to cAMP capable of penetrating cell membranes. Bucladesine interferes with different protein kinases which are normally activated by cAMP. Bucladesine has undergone in the past clinical developments as systemic treatment for cardioprotection and as topical treatment to improve wound healing. In Japan, a bucladesine ointment (Actosin® ointment; Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) was marketed to treat skin ulcers. Clinical studies have shown favourable effects on diabetic foot ulcers or decubitus, but the compound was later withdrawn despite good tolerability. One possible reason for the withdrawal may be the odour of the cream formulation which can be related to the hydrolytic cleavage in aqueous solutions resulting in release of butyric acid.

Rebamipide, an amino acid derivative of 2-(1H)-quinolinone, is used for mucosal protection, healing of gastroduodenal ulcers, and treatment of gastritis. It works by enhancing mucosal defense, scavenging free radicals, and temporarily activating genes encoding cyclooxygenase-2. Rebamipide is used in a number of Asian countries including Japan (marketed as Mucosta), South Korea, China, and India (where it is marketed under the trade name Rebagen). It is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States. Studies have shown that rebamipide can fight the damaging effects of NSAIDs on the GIT mucosa.

Gepefrine (Pressionorm and Wintonin) is an antihypotensive agent. It was used for therapy of orthostatic dysregulation. One hour after oral administration of 30 mg or 45 mg gepefrine the blood pressure increased significantly at rest and more markedly on standing and during the step test. Gepefrine led to a reduction in pathological orthostatic regulation during the early phase as well as to the prevention of subjective and objective signs of orthostatic adjustment disorder during the late phase. Patients with insufficient rise in blood pressure during the step test (80 watts) showed after gepefrine a distinct tendency towards normalisation and the regression of subjective states of exhaustion. Gepefrine caused on average no substantive alternations in heart rate during all phases of the investigation. Complications or side-effects due to the method or the medicament were not observed.

Gepefrine (Pressionorm and Wintonin) is an antihypotensive agent. It was used for therapy of orthostatic dysregulation. One hour after oral administration of 30 mg or 45 mg gepefrine the blood pressure increased significantly at rest and more markedly on standing and during the step test. Gepefrine led to a reduction in pathological orthostatic regulation during the early phase as well as to the prevention of subjective and objective signs of orthostatic adjustment disorder during the late phase. Patients with insufficient rise in blood pressure during the step test (80 watts) showed after gepefrine a distinct tendency towards normalisation and the regression of subjective states of exhaustion. Gepefrine caused on average no substantive alternations in heart rate during all phases of the investigation. Complications or side-effects due to the method or the medicament were not observed.