Smilagenin (also known as PYM50028 and Cogane) is a constituent of Jamaican sarsaparilla (Smilax ornata) and is a neuroprotectant that has been evaluated in Phase II clinical trials in Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. On 27 September 2011, the European Commission to Phytopharm plc, United Kingdom, granted orphan designation for smilagenin for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The details of the mechanism of action of smilagenin are incomplete but involve the upregulation of neurotrophic factors including Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Noopept (DVD-111) is a peptide promoted and prescribed in Russia and neighbouring countries as a nootropic. Noopept was patented by Russian-based pharmaceutical company JSC LEKKO Pharmaceuticals in the 1996. Research shows Noopept has similar effects, but works differently than other nootropics in the racetam-family. The compound is patented in both the US and Russia with patent of Russian Federation number 2119496, U.S. Patent 5,439,930 issued 8/8/1995. Noopept exhibits a combined neuroprotector effect both in vitro and in vivo. Noopept decreases the extent of necrotic damage caused by photoinduced thrombosis of cortical blood vessels. It was established that the neuroprotector effect of noopept is related to its action upon the well-known "triad", whereby the drug reduces neurotoxic effects of excess extracellular calcium, glutamate, and free radicals. Two additional components of the neuroprotector action of noopept are related to the antiinflammatory and antithrombotic activity.