Urocanic acid is a breakdown (deamination) product of histidine. In the liver, urocanic acid is an intermediate in the conversion of histidine to glutamic acid, whereas in the epidermis, it accumulates and may be both a UV protectant and an immunoregulator. Urocanic acid (UA) exists as a trans isomer (t-UA, approximately 30 mg/cm2) in the uppermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum). t-UA is formed as the cells of the second layer of skin become metabolically inactive. During this process, proteins and membranes degrade, histidine is released, and histidase (histidine ammonia lyase) catalyzes the deamination of histidine to form t-UA. t-UA accumulates in the epidermis until removal by either the monthly skin renewal cycle or sweat. Upon absorption of UV light, the naturally occurring t-UA isomerizes to its cis form, c-UA. Because DNA lesions (e. g. , pyrimidine dimers) in the lower epidermis can result from UV-B absorption, initial research proposed that t-UA acted as a natural sunscreen absorbing UV-B in the stratum corneum before the damaging rays could penetrate into lower epidermal zones. c-UA also suppresses contact hypersensitivity and delayed hypersensitivity, reduces the Langerhans cell count in the epidermis, prolongs skin-graft survival time, and affects natural killer cell activity. It has also been proposed that c-UA may mediate the transient alteration in immune surveillance resulting in immunosuppression induced after UV-irradiation, by interacting with immune cells locally and/or systemically to generate T cells with suppressor function.

Isobutyramide (VX-366) is an orally available branched chain amide that may offer an alternative to current treatments for beta-hemoglobinopathy. Isobutyramide has been shown to increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in patients with beta-hemoglobinopathies. Isobutyramide was originated at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute which, in 1993, granted exclusive worldwide rights for the agent to Vertex. However, development of Isobutyramide has been discontinued for sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia.

Levistolide A is a naturally occurring compound isolated from Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cancer. Levistolide has been studied in vitro against cell models for colon cancer and breast cancer. It was effective at inducing ER programmed apoptosis in colon cancer cells. In a cell model for breast cancer, levistolide was shown to enhance the apoptotic effects of adriamycin and vincristine. The effect of levistomide is correlated with cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP and up-regulation of caspase-3.

Schisandrin A is a bioactive lignan occurring in the fruits of plants of the Schisandra genus that have traditionally been used in Korea for treating various inflammatory diseases. Schisandrin A inhibits dengue viral replication via upregulating antiviral interferon responses through STAT signaling pathway. Schisandrin A represents a potential antiviral agent to block DENV replication in vitro and in vivo. Schisandrin A has been widely reported as being very effective for the treatment of liver disease. The hepatoprotective mechanisms of schisandrin A may include activation of autophagy flux and inhibition of apoptosis.

2,5-dimethyl-celecoxib, also known as DMC, is celecoxib analog that lacks COX-2 inhibitory activity but exhibits anti-tumor properties. DMC demonstrated its ability to inhibit xenograft tumor growth through the inhibition of Akt activation. The central mechanism for the anticancer effect of DMC is the suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. DMS is a synthetic opener of KV7 channels in smooth muscle cells.