Metformin is the most widely used drug to treat type 2 diabetes, and is one of only two oral antidiabetic drugs on the World Health Organization (WHO) list of essential medicines. Metformin is an antihyperglycemic agent which improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. Metformin decreases hepatic glucose production, decreases intestinal absorption of glucose, and improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization. However, we still do not completely understand its mechanisms of action. The main effect of this drug from the biguanide family is to acutely decrease hepatic glucose production, mostly through a mild and transient inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I. In addition, the resulting decrease in hepatic energy status activates AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), a cellular metabolic sensor, providing a generally accepted mechanism for the action of metformin on hepatic gluconeogenesis. The use of metformin, the most commonly prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes, was repeatedly associated with the decreased risk of the occurrence of various types of cancers, especially of pancreas and colon and hepatocellular carcinoma.

7Z-Calcipotriol is an isomeric impurity in vitamin D analog calcipotriol. Synthesis of 7Z-Calcipotriol was disclosed by Japanese company Kuraray Co in a patent application JP 06316558.

Paclitaxel is a mitotic inhibitor used in cancer chemotherapy. It was discovered in a US National Cancer Institute program at the Research Triangle Institute in 1967 when Monroe E. Wall and Mansukh C. Wani isolated it from the bark of the Pacific yew tree, Taxus brevifolia and named it taxol. Later it was discovered that endophytic fungi in the bark synthesize paclitaxel. When it was developed commercially by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), the generic name was changed to paclitaxel and the BMS compound is sold under the trademark Taxol. In this formulation, paclitaxel is dissolved in Kolliphor EL and ethanol, as a delivery agent. Taxol is marketed for the treatment of Breast cancer; Gastric cancer; Kaposi's sarcoma; Non-small cell lung cancer; Ovarian cancer. A newer formulation, in which paclitaxel is bound to albumin, is sold under the trademark Abraxane. Paclitaxel is a taxoid antineoplastic agent indicated as first-line and subsequent therapy for the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the ovary, and other various cancers including breast cancer. Paclitaxel is a novel antimicrotubule agent that promotes the assembly of microtubules from tubulin dimers and stabilizes microtubules by preventing depolymerization. This stability results in the inhibition of the normal dynamic reorganization of the microtubule network that is essential for vital interphase and mitotic cellular functions. In addition, paclitaxel induces abnormal arrays or "bundles" of microtubules throughout the cell cycle and multiple asters of microtubules during mitosis. Used in the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma and cancer of the lung, ovarian, and breast. Abraxane® is specfically indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Paclitaxel interferes with the normal function of microtubule growth. Whereas drugs like colchicine cause the depolymerization of microtubules in vivo, paclitaxel arrests their function by having the opposite effect; it hyper-stabilizes their structure. This destroys the cell's ability to use its cytoskeleton in a flexible manner. Specifically, paclitaxel binds to the β subunit of tubulin. Tubulin is the "building block" of mictotubules, and the binding of paclitaxel locks these building blocks in place. The resulting microtubule/paclitaxel complex does not have the ability to disassemble. This adversely affects cell function because the shortening and lengthening of microtubules (termed dynamic instability) is necessary for their function as a transportation highway for the cell. Chromosomes, for example, rely upon this property of microtubules during mitosis. Further research has indicated that paclitaxel induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells by binding to an apoptosis stopping protein called Bcl-2 (B-cell leukemia 2) and thus arresting its function.

Carteolol is a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent for ophthalmic use. It has been shown to be effective in lowering intraocular pressure and may be used in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other intraocular pressure lowering medications. The following adverse reactions have been reported: transient eye irritation, burning, tearing, conjunctival hyperemia and edema. Carteolol may cause bradycardia and decreased blood pressure, headache, arrhythmia, syncope, heart block, cerebral vascular accident, cerebral ischemia, congestive heart failure, palpitation, nausea, depression. Carteolol should be used with caution in patients who are receiving a beta-adrenergic blocking agent orally, because of the potential for additive effects on systemic beta-blockade.

Ioversol is an organoiodine compound that used as a contrast medium. It features both a high iodine content, as well as several hydrophilic groups. It is indicated in adults for peripheral and coronary arteriography and left ventriculography, for excretory urography and computed tomography. Injections of contrast media are often associated with sensations of warmth and pain. Renal toxicity has been reported in a few patients with liver dysfunction who were given oral cholecystographic agents followed by intravascular contrast agents.

Chromium sulfate(III) hexahydrate or chromium sulphate, a trivalent compound of chromium that was investigated as a toxic compound. Experiments on rodent have shown chromium sulfate produced severe and widespread effects in the nasal cavity, larynx, lungs, and mediastinal lymph node. Effects were characterized by the accumulation of foreign material, infiltration of alveolar macrophages, septal cell hyperplasia, and granulomatous and chronic inflammation. Besides, chromium sulphate exerted a disadvantageous effect on the skeleton, as it decreases bone density and resistance.

Levocarnitine propionate or Propionyl L-carnitine (PLC) is the propionyl ester of L-carnitine. Propionyl-L-carnitine stimulates energy production in ischaemic muscles by increasing citric acid cycle flux and stimulating pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. The free radical scavenging activity of the drug may also be beneficial. Propionyl-L-carnitine improves coagulative fibrinolytic homeostasis in vasal endothelium and positively affects blood viscosity. It exhibits a high affinity for the muscle enzyme, carnitine acyl transferase, and as such readily converts into propionyl-CoA and free carnitine. Most studies of the therapeutic use of PLC are focused on the prevention and treatment of ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, hypertrophic heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease. PLC is marketed under the trade name Dromos®. It is indicated for patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disorders and for exercise intolerance enhancement in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Dromos is marketed in Italy.

Iohexol is a nonionic, water-soluble radiographic contrast medium. Organic iodine compounds block x-rays as they pass through the body, thereby allowing body structures containing iodine to be delineated in contrast to those structures that do not contain iodine. It is used in myelography, arthrography, nephroangiography, arteriography, and other radiographic procedures. Drugs which lower seizure threshold, especially phenothiazine derivatives including those used for their antihistaminic or antinauseant properties, are not recommended for use with Iohexol. Others include monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, CNS stimulants, psychoactive drugs described as analeptics, major tranquilizers, or antipsychotic drugs. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are headache, mild to moderate pain including backache, neckache and stiffness, nausea, and vomiting.

Iopamidol is a nonionic, low-osmolar iodinated contrast agent. Iopamidol is indicated for angiography, pediatric angiocardiography, selective visceral arteriography and aortography, peripheral venography, and adult and pediatric intravenous excretory urography and intravenous adult and pediatric contrast enhancement of computed tomographic. Renal toxicity has been reported in a few patients with liver dysfunction who were given oral cholecystographic agents followed by intravascular contrast agents. Intravascular injection of contrast media is frequently associated with the sensation of warmth and pain especially in peripheral arteriography and venography. In angiocardiography the adverse reactions are: hot flashes, angina pectoris, flushing, bradycardia, hypotension, hives.