Mechlorethamine Oxide was approved by the FDA in 1949 for the treatment of hematologic malignancies, alkylating agents are the oldest class of anticancer agents. A biologic alkylating agent exerts its cytotoxic effects by forming DNA adducts and DNA interstrand crosslinks, thereby inhibiting rapidly proliferating cells. Mechlorethamine Oxide is an antineoplastic agent used to treat Hodgkin desease and Lymphoma. Known under the brand names of Mustargen and Valchlor in USA. The FDA granted marketing approval for the orphan drug Valchlor (mechlorethamine) gel on August 23, 2013 for the topical treatment of stage IA and IB mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in patients who have received prior skin-directed therapy. Each tube of Valchlor contains 0.016% of mechlorethamine which is equivalent to 0.02% mechlorethamine HCL.

Abscisic Acid ((2Z,4E)-5-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-3-methylpenta-2,4-dienoic acid) is a plant hormone and growth regulator that is involved in several physiological mechanisms including seed dormancy, leaf abscission, stomatal movement, and plant stress responses. Through complex interactions with several intracellular signaling systems, it can regulate the expression of hundreds of plant genes. Abscisic Acid has also been found to be present in metazoans, from sponges up to mammals including humans. Currently, its biosynthesis and biological role in animals is poorly known. Abscisic acid has recently been shown to elicit potent anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects in mouse models of diabetes/obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, and influenza infection. Many biological effects in animals have been studied using Abscisic Acid as a nutraceutical or pharmacognostic drug, but Abscisic Acid is also generated endogenously by some cells. There are also conflicting conclusions from different studies, where some claim that Abscisic acid is essential for pro-inflammatory responses whereas other show anti-inflammatory effects. Like with many natural substances with medical properties, Abscisic Acid has become popular also in naturopathy. While Abscisic Acid clearly has beneficial biological activities and many naturopathic remedies will contain high levels of Abscisic Acid (such as wheatgrass juice, fruits, and vegetables), some of the health claims made may be exaggerated or overly optimistic. In mammalian cells Abscisic Acid targets a protein known as lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 (LANCL2), triggering an alternative mechanism of activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma).

Colforsin daropate (a derivative of Colforsin) is cardiotonic, adenylate cyclase activator. It is reported as an ingredient of Adehl in Japan. Colforsin daropate hydrochloride is used for the treatment of acute heart failure. Colforsin daropate is capable of directly stimulating adenylate cyclase, which in turn causes vasorelaxation via elevated intracellular concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, making it a useful therapeutic tool in treating cerebral vasospasm.

Temoporfin is a photosensitizer (based on chlorin) used in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. It is marketed in the European Union under the brand name Foscan. It is used in patients in whom other treatments have stopped working, and who are not suitable for radiotherapy (treatment with radiation), surgery or systemic chemotherapy (medicines used to treat cancer; ‘systemic’ means that they are given as treatments throughout the body). When Foscan is injected, temoporfin is distributed within the body, including within the tumour. When it is illuminated with laser light of a specific wavelength, temoporfin is activated and reacts with oxygen in the cells to create a highly reactive and toxic type of oxygen. This kills the cells by reacting with and destroying their components, such as their proteins and DNA. By restricting the illumination to the tumour, cell damage is limited to the tumour cells, leaving other areas of the body unaffected. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approve Foscan in 2000. The EU approved its use in June 2001.

Cathine, known as D-norpseudoephedrine, is a psychoactive drug of amphetamine class, found naturally in Catha edulis (khat). It is a norepinephrine and dopamine releasing agent, and has thermogenic and anorectic effect. In the United States, cathine is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance. Cathine hydrochloride is used as an appetite suppressant during the first few weeks of dieting to help establish new eating habits.

Obidoxime is an antidote for organophosphorous nerve agent poisoning including chlorosarin, cyclosarin (GF), R-33 (VR), R-VX, sarin (GB), tabun (GA), VX, chlorosoman, soman (GD), and organophosphorous pesticides. It acts as an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivator. In combination with atropine obidoxime can be used to treat super toxic organophosphate poisoning by relieving the symptoms of skeletal neuromuscular blocking that occurs during a cholinergic crisis.

Mifamurtide (liposomal muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine; trade name Mepact) is an immunomodulator with antitumor effects that appear to be mediated via activation of monocytes and macrophages. After intravenous administration, mifamurtide is selectively phagocytosed by monocytes and macrophages. Cytosolic Mifamurtide specifically interacts with nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) receptor that induces nuclear factor (NF)-kB activation and is implicated in innate immune defense. Activation of monocyte-mediated tumoricidal function was observed following in vivo treatment with mifamurtide in phase I/II clinical trials. Intravenous administration of mifamurtide inhibited tumor growth and increased survival in rodent models of lung and liver metastasis. In a large, randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase III trial, the addition of adjuvant (postoperative) mifamurtide to three- or four-drug combination chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cisplatin, and high-dose methotrexate with, or without, ifosfamide) was associated with a statistically significant improvement in overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed, high-grade, non-metastatic, resectable osteosarcoma. The pattern of outcome was generally similar in a small cohort of patients with metastatic disease who were enrolled in this trial. Mifamurtide is generally well tolerated; adverse events attributed to administration of the drug include chills, fever, headache, nausea, and myalgias. In the EU, mifamurtide is indicated in children, adolescents, and young adults for the treatment of high-grade, resectable, non-metastatic osteosarcoma after macroscopically complete surgical resection; it is administered by intravenous infusion in conjunction with postoperative multiagent chemotherapy. In the US, mifamurtide is currently an investigational agent that holds orphan drug status for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Naphthalene is a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon usually obtained by distillation of coal tar. Once used as a moth repellent, it is now important as a reactant in the production of phthalic anhydride, which in turn is used for making plasticizers, alkyd resins, and polyester resins. Other fumigant uses of naphthalene include use in soil as a fumigant pesticide, and in attic spaces to repel animals. In the past, naphthalene was administered orally to kill parasitic worms in livestock. In humans, exposure to large amounts of naphthalene may damage or destroy red blood cells. Humans, particularly children, have developed this condition after ingesting mothballs or deodorant blocks containing naphthalene. Some of the symptoms of naphthalene poisoning are fatigue, lack of appetite, restlessness, and pale skin. Exposure to large amounts of naphthalene may also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the urine, and jaundice (yellow coloration of the skin).

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.

Oryzanol A (gamma-oryzanol) is a naturally occurring component in rice bran and rice germ which consists of a mixture of ferulic acid esters of sterols and triterpene alcohols. In 1954, Kaneko and Tsuchiya et al. reported that isolated oryzanol demonstrated nutritional effects on animals. There are increasing numbers of reports indicating the benefits, efficacy and safety of gamma-oryzanol. There are a number of clinical studies reported that gamma-oryzanol is beneficial in the treatment of relieving menopausal (climacteric) symptoms. combination of -oryzanol and plant sterol has been used in the treatment of senile dementia, arteriosclerosis and cerebromalacia. The mechanism of action of gamma-oryzanol is believed to be involved in the metabolism of catecholamine in the hypothalamus. The antioxidant effect of gamma-oryzanol was well documented and excellent in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Currently in Japan, gamma-oryzanol is approved and listed as “antioxidant” under the list of chemical composition of food additives. Oryzanol A has been shown to alleviate hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia.