7-Oxocholesterol (7-Ketocholesterol) is a major oxidation product of cholesterol (oxysterol) found in human atherosclerotic plaque and is more atherogenic than cholesterol in some animal studies. Oxysterols (oxygenated forms of cholesterol) are present at low levels in the circulation and accumulate is plasma and tissues in some pathologies. In atherosclerotic lesions, 7-oxygenated oxysterols, predominantly 7-ketocholesterol, accumulate and have been implicated in the pathology of the disease. There is some in vivo and in vitro evidence that sterol 27-hydroxylase acts on 7-ketocholesterol to initiate its degradation to more polar, water-soluble products. Recent studies indicate an alternative mechanism, in which 7-ketocholesterol is reduced to 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol by 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. 7-Ketocholesterol can inhibit cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, the rate-limiting step in bile acid biosynthesis, as well as strongly inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. It has even been suggested that 7-ketocholesterol is formed enzymically as an endogenous regulator of cholesterol biosynthesis. However, when tested as a pharmacological cholesterol-lowering agent, inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase was rapidly overcome and the 7-ketocholesterol metabolised. In vitro, 7-ketocholesterol has wide-ranging and potent effects, most of which have the potential to contribute to atherosclerosis. For example, 7-ketocholesterol can be cytotoxic and can induce apoptosis in vascular cells. These effects, either individually or more likely, in combination, all implicate 7-ketocholesterol in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis, but further work is needed to establish whether or not its role is a direct causal one. 7-Ketocholesterol is the second most abundant oxysterol found in human atherosclerotic plaque, after the enzymically formed 27-hydroxycholesterol (cholest-5-ene-3beta,27-diol). 7-Ketocholesterol differs from cholesterol by a ketone functional group present at the 7-position. It is produced from cholesterol via the epimeric cholesterol 7-hydroperoxides (cholest-5-ene-3beta-ol-7-hydroperoxide) which decompose to the epimeric 7-hydroxycholesterols (cholest-5-ene-3beta,7-diol) and 7-ketocholesterol. 7-Ketocholesterol is a major dietary oxysterol. It has also been widely suggested that 7-ketocholesterol present in atherosclerotic tissue may be derived from the diet. Certainly, 7-ketocholesterol is a major oxysterol found in cholesterol-rich processed foodstuffs. Dietary 7-ketocholesterol is rapidly metabolised by the liver to 7beta-hydroxycholesterol (cholest-5-ene-3beta,7beta-diol), unusual bile acids and perhaps even cholesterol itself. Its conversion to 7beta-hydroxycholesterol is well documented.

CP 154526 hydrochloride is a selective, non-peptide corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRF1) antagonist. CP 154526 readily penetrates the CNS following peripheral administration. In the clinic, CP-154,526 may have important therapeutic utility in treating depression and anxiety as well as other diseases where excessive stimulation of CRF receptors contributes to pathology. The CRF1 receptor antagonist CP-154,526 attenuated the acquisition and prevented the expression of EtOH-induced psychomotor sensitization.

Pellitorine is a major amide alkaloid, isolated from Piper longum, Zanthoxylum piperitum or heitzii, Anacyclus pyrethrum, Piper nigrum. Pellitorine can serve as an antagonist of the TRPV1 and may inhibit exovanilloid-induced pain. It exhibits anti-inflammatory activity via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Pellitorine shows a good gut permeation and rapidly permeates the BBB once in the blood, indicating a possible role in the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Pellitorine, which was isolated from the roots of Piper nigrum, showed strong cytotoxic activities against HL60 and MCT-7 cancer cell lines. The drug possesses antithrombotic activities and offers bases for development of a novel anticoagulant.

Visnagin is furanochromone and one of the main compounds of Ammi visnaga L. (syn. Khella) that can be frequently found in ethnomedical formulations in Asia and the Middle East. Visnagin possess analgesic properties due to its calcium channel blocking properties and act in an anti-inflammatory manner by inhibiting AP-1 and NF-κB signaling.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a well-known mycotoxin present in numerous agricultural products. Humans and animals are therefore at a risk of exposure to zearalenone through consumption of contaminated food. After intake, ZEN is reduced to α- and β-zearalenol (α-ZEL and β-ZEL), zearalanone (ZAN), and α- and β-zearalanol (α-ZAL and β-ZAL). Zearalenone and its metabolites, including Alpha-zearalenol are full agonists for hERα and possess hAR-mediated antagonistic activity in PALM cells. Zearalenone and its derivatives have been shown to be carcinogenic, immunotoxic, and hepatonephrotoxic.

Jatrorrhizine is an active component of the traditional Chinese herb Coptis chinensis, which has been used to prevent and treat metabolic disorders. It is also found plants such as Enantia chlorantha, Thalictrum lucidumm, Thalictrum revolutum. Jatrorrhizine possesses antifungal, antibacterial activity. It has low toxicity and was studied in mouse models of obesity and hypercholesterolemia. The mechanism of action of Jatrorrhizine is not fully elucidated. The compound blocks alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoreceptors, monoamine oxidase A and B.