Bruceantin is a compound isolated from Brucea antidysenteriea, a plant used in Ethiopia as an anticancer treatment. The primary action of Bruceantin appears to be an inhibition of protein synthesis which takes place at the ribosomal level. Bruceantin induced marked decreases of c-myc mRNA and protein expression in all cell lines. Bruceantin-induced c-myc downregulation might trigger cell death mechanisms preferentially in those cell lines with wild-type p53 protein expression. Bruceantin was evaluated in three separate phase I clinical trials in patients with various types of solid tumors. Hypotension, nausea, and vomiting were common side effects at higher doses, but hematologic toxicity was moderate to insignificant and manifested mainly as thrombocytopenia. Bruceantin was then tested in two separate phase II trials including adult patients with metastatic breast cancer and malignant melanoma. No objective tumor regressions were observed, and clinical trials were terminated.

Cucurbitacin B (CuB), an oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoid compound extracted from Cucurbitaceae plant species, is a long-term anticancer agent by disruption of microtubule polymerization. Cucurbitacin B is a naturally occurring compound that is found abundantly in cucumbers and other vegetables, and it is known to exert anti-cancer activities (primarily via apoptosis-induction) in several human cancers. Cucurbitacin B also protects against cardiac hypertrophy through increasing the autophagy level in cardiomyocytes, which is associated with the inhibition of Akt/mTOR/FoxO3a signal axis. ACLY over-expression abrogated CuB's apoptotic effects in prostate cancer cells, confirming ACLY as a direct target of CuB. Thus, CuB harbors potent chemopreventive activity for prostate cancer, and we revealed a novel anti-tumor mechanism of CuB via inhibition of ACLY signaling in human cancer. It has being suggested that cucurbitacin B exerts an anticancer effect by inhibiting telomerase via down regulating both the hTERT and c-Myc expression in breast cancer cells.

Zuretinol (QLT091001, 9-cis-retinol) is a retinoid. Retinoids (vitamin A and its analogs) are essential dietary substances that are needed by mammals for reproduction, normal embryogenesis, growth, vision, and maintaining normal cellular differentiation and the integrity of the immune system. Within cells, retinoids regulate gene transcription acting through ligand-dependent transcription factors, the retinoic acid receptors (RARs), and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). All-trans-retinoic acid binds only to RARs with high affinity, whereas its 9-cis isomer binds with high affinity to both RARs and RXRs. The actions of all-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid in regulating cellular responses are distinct and not interchangeable. Zuretinol is a retinal derivative for treatment of visual disorders. It is a synthetic retinoid replacement for 11-cis-retinal. It is an investigational product under development for the treatment of retinal diseases caused by gene mutations that interfere with the availability of 11-cis-retinal. The therapeutic strategy with Zuretinol is to facilitate recovery or restoration of visual function by acting as a replacement for missing 11-cis-retinal and restoring a key biochemical component of the visual (retinoid) cycle. Novelion Therapeutics is currently developing QLT091001 for the treatment of Inherited Retinal Disease caused by retinal pigment epithelium protein 65 (“RPE65”) and lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (“LRAT”) gene mutations, which include Leber Congenital Amaurosis (“LCA”) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (“RP”). QLT091001 has received orphan drug designations for the treatment of LCA (due to inherited mutations in the LRAT and RPE65 genes) and RP (all mutations) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), and for the treatment of LCA and RP (all mutations) by the European Medicines Agency (the “EMA”).

Nigericin is an antibiotic derived from Streptomyces “Nig-1”. It is the potassium ionophore and H+/K+ exchanger. It is shown to be highly effective as an ionophore for Pb(2+). Thus, nigericin may be more useful than monensin in the treatment of Pb intoxication. Nigericin induced mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization. Malignant characteristics of human glioma cells were markedly suppressed by nigericin treatment in vivo. Nigericin induces cell death and promotes the maturation and release of IL-1beta in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed monocytes and macrophages. The mechanism of induction of apoptosis by nigericin is most probably to decrease intracellular pH.

Ligustrazine (tetramethylpyrazine) is a bioactive ingredient extracted from the widely-used Chinese herb, Chuanxiong. It inhibits of platelet aggregation, enhances of vessel dilation, increases cerebral blood flow and possesses neuroprotective properties. The injection solution of ligustrazine has been used especially in China to treat ischemic stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetic nephropathy, and knee osteoarthritis. Ligustrazine was also evaluated in clinical as a remedy for pressure sores, as a salvage agent for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as a treatment for bronchial asthma and vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

Tangeretin is an O-polymethoxylated flavone that is found in tangerine and other citrus peels. Its natural role is to strengthen the cell wall and act as a plant's defensive mechanism against disease-causing pathogens. Animal studies have shown the potential fo tangeretin as a therapeutic in a number of conditions including cancers, asthma, CKD, hypercholesterolemia, and Parkinson's disease.

Citicoline (CDP-choline; cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine) is a novel nutrient with a broad spectrum of benefits for conditions associated with symptoms of neurological dysfunction shows promise of clinical efficacy in elderly patients with cognitive deficits, inefficient memory, and early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Citicoline has also been investigated as a therapy in stroke patient. Despite it was approved in some countries for treatment Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the use of this drug for acute TBI seems to have no field of support anymore, whereas it may have some benefits in improving the neuro-cognitive state in chronic TBI patients. It's also recommended to keep in mind acute interventions like Psychological First Aid (PFA) during acute TBI management. Citicoline plays several important roles in human physiology, including enhancement of structural integrity and signaling for cell membranes, support of acetylcholine synthesis, and synthesis of betaine, a methyl donor. The precise mechanism of action of Citicoline to treat disease is unknown, but was confirmed, that drug might increase phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) synthesis and might reverse PtdCho loss. In addition, was shown, that citicoline modulates phospholipids metabolism and neurotransmitter levels and appears to improve cognition in some central nervous system disorders such as bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence. Bipolar disorder is associated with the highest rates of substance abuse of any psychiatric disorder. Cocaine use is particularly common in patients with bipolar disorder.