ATC-0175 is a potent antagonist with a high affinity for MCH1R and additional affinities for 5-HT1A and 5-HT2B receptors. The receptor binding and the functional assay (MCH-induced increase in [Ca2+]i) indicated that ATC0175 is a noncompetitive antagonist at MCH1Rs. ATC-0175 exhibited anxiolytic effects in numerous animal models of anxiety including the elevated plus-maze test, social interaction test, stress-induced hyperthermia and maternal separation-induced vocalization. ATC-0175 also exhibited antidepressant effects in the forced swimming test. ATC-0175 increased swimming performance without altering climbing behavior, as observed with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. ATC0175 has adequate ADME profile (reasonable oral bioavailability and brain penetration) and potent oral activity in animal models. In contrast, ATC-0175 did not affect spontaneous locomotor activity, hexobarbital-induced sleeping time and did not impair rotarod performance. Thus, ATC-0175 may be devoid of unwanted central nervous system side effects, which are sometimes observed with current medications. ATC-0175 has the potential to be effective in the treatment of patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders.

BAY-59-3074 is a novel, selective cannabinoid CB(1)/CB(2) receptor ligand (K(i) = 55.4, 48.3, and 45.5 nM at rat and human cannabinoid CB(1) and human CB(2) receptors, respectively), with partial agonist properties at these receptors in guanosine 5-[gamma(35)S]-thiophosphate triethyl-ammonium salt ([(35)S]GTPgammaS) binding assays. It displays anti-hyperalgesic and antiallodynic properties in rat models of chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain. BAY-59-3074 may offer a valuable therapeutic approach to treat diverse chronic pain conditions.

L-768242 (GW-405,833) is a potent and selective partial agonist for the cannabinoid CB2 receptor with marked anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic activity in high doses. L-768242 suppresses pathological pain in preclinical models without unwanted central side effects of CB1 agonists. L-768242 dose-dependently reversed established mechanical allodynia in models of neuropathic (i.e. partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) model) and inflammatory (i.e. complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model) pain. Despite substantial penetration to the CNS L-768242 did not produce cannabimimetic deficits below doses of 100 mg/kg i.p. Anti-allodynic efficacy of L-768242 was opioid-independent as systemic administration of naltrexone did not block the anti-hyperalgesic or antinociceptive effects of L-768242. In in vitro studies, L-768242 was reported to behave as a partial agonist at human CB2 receptors and, alternately, a potent inverse agonist at both human and rat CB2 receptors and a weak agonist at rat CB1 receptors. L-768242 was suggested to act as a non-competitive CB1 antagonist as L-768242 non-competitively antagonized CP55,940-induced adenylyl cyclase activity, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, PIP2 signaling and CB1 internalization in vitro in HEK cells transfected with CB1 and showed a complex, time-dependent effect on arrestin recruitment in CHO cells. Anti-allodynic efficacy of L-768242 is CB1-dependent but does not seem to involve engagement of the CB1 receptor’s orthosteric site.

Veratridine (VTD), an alkaloid derived from the Liliaceae plant shows anti-tumor effects. Veratridine is also an agent that opens voltage dependent Na+ channels, blocks Na+ channel activation, and induces Ca2+ influx. The compound has been observed to be an alkaloid neurotoxin used to amplify sodium permeability. Studies report that Veratridine can trigger exocytosis and induce Ca2+ oscillations. Furthermore, Veratridine has been shown to effect the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, induce release of noradrenaline, and increase superoxide anion production. Veratridine competes with BTX binding in a mutually exclusive manner. However, the pharmacological effects of veratridine on Na+ channels are quite different from those of BTX. First, veratridine reduces the single Na+ channel conductance drastically whereas BTX does not. Veratridine therefore is regarded as a partial agonist and BTX as a full agonist of Na+ channels. Second, under voltage clamp conditions BTX binds practically irreversibly to Na+ channels whereas veratridine readily dissociates from its binding site. Both of these drugs, however, bind preferentially to the open state of Na+ channels. The BTX resistant Na+ channels in Phyllobates frogs remain sensitive to veratridine. The ceveratrum alkaloids, including Veratridine, have a characteristic hypotensive effect not directly involving the CNS. They slow the heart and lower arterial blood pressure by reflexly stimulating medullary vasomotor centers without decreasing cardiac output (Bezold–Jarisch effect). These agents were introduced in the 1950s as antihypertensive agents; however, they were found to have a narrow therapeutic index and their use was discontinued.

Balaglitazone, also known as DRF-2593; NNC-61-0645; NNC-61-2344; NN-2344; NNC-610645; NNC-612344, is an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ. Balaglitazone plays an important role in the regulation of insulin, triglycerides and lipid metabolism. It is an attractive target for the therapy of Type II Diabetes. Balaglitazone is a partial agonist of PPARγ. It has showed potent effects on lowering blood glucose in various animal models. Balaglitazone passed phase III clinical trial for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories decided to terminate further clinical development of balaglitazone. Balaglitazone exists as two enantiomers: BALAGLITAZONE, (S)- and BALAGLITAZONE, (R)-. A capillary electrophoresis method for separation of a racemic mixture of glitazone compounds has being used. The method separated the R and S enantiomers of balaglitazone, and showed that the samples contained an equal (50:50) quantity of the enantiomers as a mixture. The Rs for the separations were 3.5 for balaglitazone enantiomers.

Evodiamine, a naturally occurring indole alkaloid, is one of the main bioactive ingredients of Evodia Rutaecara, the dried unripe fruit of which is also known as Wu zhu yu (Wu Zhu Yu, interchangeably) or Evodia Fruit. Evodia Fruit used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the purposes of warmth, intestinal comfort (specifically; to alleviate abdominal pain, acid regurgitation, nausea and diarrhea), dysmenorrheal, and fighting inflammation and infections. With respect to the pharmacological actions of evodiamine, more attention has been paid to beneficial effects in insults involving cancer, obesity, nociception, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, infectious diseases and thermo-regulative effects. Evodiamine has evolved a superior ability to bind various proteins including TRPV1, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and topoisomerases I and II. There are currently no human studies on evodia rutaecarpa berries or evodiamine.