Artenimol (dihydroartemisinin) is a derivate of antimalarial compound artemisinin. Artenimol (dihydroartemisinin) is able to reach high concentrations within the parasitized erythrocytes. Its endoperoxide bridge is thought to be essential for its antimalarial activity, causing free-radical damage to parasite membrane systems including: • Inhibition of falciparum sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase, • Interference with mitochondrial electron transport • Interference with parasite transport proteins • Disruption of parasite mitochondrial function. Dihydroartemisinin in combination with piperaquine tetraphosphate (Eurartesim, EMA-approved in 2011) is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The formulation meets WHO recommendations, which advise combination treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria to reduce the risk of resistance development, with artemisinin-based preparations regarded as the ‘policy standard’. However, experimental testing demonstrates that, due to its intrinsic chemical instability, dihydroartemisinin is not suitable to be used in pharmaceutical formulations. In addition, data show that the currently available dihydroartemisinin preparations fail to meet the internationally accepted stability requirements.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (INTRAROSA™, prasterone) is a major C19 steroid produced from cholesterol by the adrenal cortex. It is also produced in small quantities in the testis and the ovary. Dehydroepiandrosterone (INTRAROSA, prasterone) is structurally similar to, and is a precursor of, androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, estrone and estrogen. It indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe dyspareunia, a symptom of vulvar and vaginal atrophy, due to menopause. The mechanism of action of dehydroepiandrosterone (INTRAROSA, prasterone) in postmenopausal women with vulvar and vaginal atrophy is not fully established.

Artemether is an antimalarial agent used to treat acute uncomplicated malaria. It is administered in combination with lumefantrine for improved efficacy against malaria. Artemether is rapidly metabolized into an active metabolite dihydroartemisinin (DHA). The antimalarial activity of artemether and DHA has been attributed to endoperoxide moiety. Artemethe involves an interaction with ferriprotoporphyrin IX (“heme”), or ferrous ions, in the acidic parasite food vacuole, which results in the generation of cytotoxic radical species. The generally accepted mechanism of action of peroxide antimalarials involves interaction of the peroxide-containing drug with heme, a hemoglobin degradation byproduct, derived from proteolysis of hemoglobin. This interaction is believed to result in the formation of a range of potentially toxic oxygen and carbon-centered radicals. Other mechanisms of action for artemether include their ability to reduce fever by production of signals to hypothalamus thermoregulatory center. Now, recent research has shown the presence of a new, previously unknown cyclooxygenase enzyme COX-3, found in the brain and spinal cord, which is selectively inhibited by artemether, and is distinct from the two already known cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2. It is now believed that this selective inhibition of the enzyme COX-3 in the brain and spinal cord explains the ability of artemether in relieving pain and reducing fever which is produced by malaria. The most common adverse reactions in adults (>30%) are headache, anorexia, dizziness, asthenia, arthralgia and myalgia.

Dasatinib [BMS 354825] is an orally active, small molecule, dual inhibitor of both SRC and ABL kinases that is under development with Bristol-Myers Squibb for the treatment of patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) and imatinib-acquired resistance/intolerance. It’s used for the treatment of adults with chronic, accelerated, or myeloid or lymphoid blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy. Also indicated for the treatment of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy. While imatinib remains a frontline therapy for CML, patients with advanced disease frequently develop resistance to imatinib therapy through multiple mechanisms. Dasatinib is also undergoing preclinical evaluation for its potential as a therapy against multiple myeloma. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a composition-of-matter patent covering this research approach that will expire in 2020. Dasatinib, at nanomolar concentrations, inhibits the following kinases: BCR-ABL, SRC family (SRC, LCK, YES, FYN), c-KIT, EPHA2, and PDGFRβ. Based on modeling studies, dasatinib is predicted to bind to multiple conformations of the ABL kinase.

Oxaliplatin (brand name Eloxatin), a new generation of platinum derivatives discovered by Prof Kidani in 1976 at Nagoya University in Japan, was licensed-in and developed by Debiopharm. Eloxatin is typically administered in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin for the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer and for the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the colon or rectum. Oxaliplatin undergoes nonenzymatic conversion in physiologic solutions to active derivatives via displacement of the labile oxalate ligand. Several transient reactive species are formed, including monoaquo and diaquo 1,2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH) platinum, which covalently bind with macromolecules. Both inter- and intrastrand Pt-DNA crosslinks are formed. Crosslinks are formed between the N7 positions of two adjacent guanines (GG), adjacent adenine-guanines (AG), and guanines separated by an intervening nucleotide (GNG). These crosslinks inhibit DNA replication and transcription. Cytotoxicity is cell-cycle nonspecific.

Tacrolimus, previously known as FK506, is the active ingredient in Prograf. Tacrolimus is a macrolide immunosuppressant produced by Streptomyces tsukubaensis. It reduces peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity by binding to the immunophilin FKBP-12 (FK506 binding protein) creating a new complex. This FKBP12-FK506 complex interacts with and inhibits calcineurin thus inhibiting both T-lymphocyte signal transduction and IL-2 transcription. Tacrolimus inhibits T-lymphocyte activation, although the exact mechanism of action is not known. Experimental evidence suggests that tacrolimus binds to an intracellular protein, FKBP-12. A complex of tacrolimus-FKBP-12, calcium, calmodulin, and calcineurin is then formed and the phosphatase activity of calcineurin inhibited. This effect may prevent the dephosphorylation and translocation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NF-AT), a nuclear component thought to initiate gene transcription for the formation of lymphokines (such as interleukin-2, gamma interferon). The net result is the inhibition of T-lymphocyte activation (i.e., immunosuppression). Prograf is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving allogeneic liver transplants, kidney transplants, heart transplants. It has also been used in a topical preparation in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis.

Terbinafine (brand name Lamisil, Terbisil, Terboderm and others) is an antifungal medication used to treat ringworm and fungal nail infections. Terbinafine inhibits ergosterol synthesis by inhibiting squalene epoxidase, an enzyme that is part of the fungal cell membrane synthesis pathway. Because terbinafine prevents the conversion of squalene to lanosterol, ergosterol cannot be synthesized. This is thought to change cell membrane permeability, causing fungal cell lysis. Many side effects and adverse drug reactions have been reported with oral terbinafine hydrochloride possibly due to its extensive biodistribution and the often extended durations involved in antifungal treatment (longer than two months).

Simvastatin is a HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor that is FDA approved for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and for the reduction in the risk of cardiac heart disease mortality and cardiovascular events. It reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL). Common adverse reactions include abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, headache, upper respiratory infection. Cases of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis have been observed with simvastatin co-administered with lipid-modifying doses ( ≥ 1 g/day niacin) of niacin-containing products. The risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, is increased by concomitant administration of amiodarone, dronedarone, ranolazine, or calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, diltiazem, or amlodipine.

Ramipril (sold under the brand name Altace ) is a prodrug belonging to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It is metabolized to ramiprilat in the liver and, to a lesser extent, kidneys. Ramiprilat is a potent, competitive inhibitor of ACE, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of angiotensin I (ATI) to angiotensin II (ATII). ATII regulates blood pressure and is a key component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Ramipril is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure; also used to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes; in addition, this drug is used to reduce the rate of death, myocardial infarction and stroke in individuals at high risk of cardiovascular events.

Esomeprazole strontium is a proton pump inhibitor. It suppresses gastric acid secretion by specific inhibition H+/K+ ATPase in the gastric parietal cell. The S- and R-isomers of omeprazole are protonated and converted in the acidic compartment of the parietal cell forming the active inhibitor, the achiral sulphenamide. By acting specifically on the proton pump, esomeprazole blocks the final step in acid production, thus reducing gastric acidity. The drug is indicated for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, reduction the risk of NSAID-associated gastric ulcer, eradication of H.pylori, and pathological hypersecretory conditions.