The sesquiterpene trilactone bilobalide is one of the active constituents of the 50:1 Ginkgo biloba leaf extract widely used to enhance memory and learning. Bilobalide was found to antagonise the direct action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on recombinant alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2L) GABA(A) receptors. Bilobalide showed anticonvulsant properties through the activation of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme, which is a key enzyme in biosynthesis of GABA. Bilobalide has been proposed to exert protective and trophic effects on neurons. Bilobalide may be useful in developing therapy for diseases involving age-associated neurodegeneration. Bilobalide is an active component of EGb, a standardised extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves. Bilobalide accounts for about 3% of the total extract.

Peoniflorin (PF) is the chief active component of paeonia, with diverse pharmacological actions and wide application. According to current study findings, PF can ameliorate the decline of memory and learning capacities in many dementia model animals, and have effect in protecting the cerebral ischemia injury, treating Parkinson's disease, reliving pain and improving neural synapse plasticity. Peoniflorin is an Adenosine A1 receptor activator with neuroprotective and antidepressant effects. Upregulates serotonergic systems in vivo. Blood brain barrier permeable. Preclinical studies show that peoniflorin is able to diminish pain, joint swelling, synovial hypertrophy, and the severity of bone erosion and cartilage degradation in experimental arthritis. In China, Korea, and Japan, a decoction of the dried root without bark of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis, dysmenorrhea, muscle cramping and spasms, and fever for more than 1200 years. A water/ethanol extract of the root is now known as total glucosides of peony (TGP), which contains more than 15 components. Peoniflorin is the most abundant ingredient and accounts for the pharmacological effects observed with TGP in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Ginsenoside Rg1 is a triterpene saponin originally found in species of Panax that exhibits antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-aging, anti-fibrotic, anticancer, antithrombotic, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, and pro-angiogenic activities. Ginsenoside Rg1 appears to be most abundant in Panax ginseng (Chinese/Korean Ginseng). It improves spatial learning and increase hippocampal synaptophysin level in mice, plus demonstrates estrogen-like activity. In an animal model of aging, ginsenoside Rg1 prevents decreases in cognitive capacity and neurogenesis, and suppresses astrocyte activation and production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β; it also increases activity of telomerase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. In other animal models, ginsenoside Rg1 decreases levels of ALT, AST, LDH, and ALP, inhibiting inflammation and hepatic stellate cell activation, decreasing fibrosis. Additionally, ginsenoside Rg1 suppresses JAK2/STAT5 signaling in leukemia cells, upregulates expression of Bax and caspase 3, downregulates expression of Bcl-2, induces apoptosis, and inhibits cell proliferation. This compound also inhibits platelet aggregation, fibrinogen binding, P-selection expression, platelet adhesion, and ERK activation, increasing time to occlusion in vivo. Ginsenoside Rg1 inhibits left ventricular hypertrophy and increases expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in other animal models. This compound also decreases serum histamine, IgE, and IgG and suppresses infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells in animal models of allergic rhinitis. Ginsenoside Rg1 is one of the major components of Korean Red Ginseng, marketed in Korea. Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer, Araliaceae) is traditionally used as an important herbal medicine in Far East Asia. Korean Red Ginseng is possibly effective for: • Alzheimer's disease. Evidence shows that taking Panax ginseng root daily for 12 weeks can improve mental performance in people with Alzheimer's disease. • Lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth seems to improve lung function and some symptoms of COPD. • Mental function. Taking Panax ginseng by mouth might improve abstract thinking, mental arithmetic skills, and reaction times in healthy, middle-aged people but not in young adults. Panax ginseng alone does not seem to improve memory. But there is some evidence that a combination of Panax ginseng and ginkgo leaf extract can improve memory in otherwise healthy people between the ages of 38 and 66. • Erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth seems to improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction. • Flu. Taking a specific Panax ginseng by mouth appears to reduce the risk of getting a cold or the flu. But, taking Panax ginseng does not seem to reduce flu symptoms or the length of the illness. • Multiple sclerosis-related fatigue. Taking Panax ginseng daily for 3 months reduces feelings of tiredness and improves quality of life in females with MS. • Premature ejaculation. Applying a cream containing Panax ginseng, angelica root, Cistanches deserticola, Zanthoxyl species, torlidis seed, clover flower, asiasari root, cinnamon bark, and toad venom (SS Cream) to the penis one hour before intercourse and washing off immediately before intercourse seems to help prevent premature ejaculation.

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.