Dihydroergocornine is an ergot alkaloid, one of the three components of ergoloid (trade name Hydergine). Dihydroergocornine (as the component of Ergoloid mesylates) has been used to treat dementia and age-related cognitive impairment (such as in Alzheimer disease), as well as to aid in recovery after stroke. There is no specific evidence which clearly establishes the mechanism by which Hydergine® (ergoloid mesylates) preparations produce mental effects, nor is there conclusive evidence that the drug particularly affects cerebral arteriosclerosis or cerebrovascular insufficiency. Hydergine may stimulates dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors and blocks alpha-adrenoreceptors.

Dihydro-alpha-ergocryptine is an ergot alkaloid that has an agonist activity on D2 dopaminergic receptors and a partial agonist activity on D1 receptors. It also demonstrated antagonistic activity towards alpha-adrenergic receptors. The drug was approved by FDA in combination with other alkaloids (dihydroergocornine, dihydroergocristine and dihydro-beta-ergocryptine mesylate salts) under the name Hydergine for the treatment of dimentia and cerebrovascular insufficiency.

Methoxamine is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that induces prolonged peripheral vasoconstriction, and can also stimulate the release of arginine vasopressin in humans. In clinical trials, methoxamine was found to improve fecal incontinence. It had been marketed by Glaxo-Smith-Kline under the brand name Vasoxyl but has been discontinued. Methoxamine was also found to stimulate the induction of hiPSC-derived hepatoblasts to ALBUMIN+ cells.

Piperoxan is the first antihistamine was discovered. Piperoxan protected guinea pigs against histamine-induced bronchospasm. The piperoxan has been used to provoke anxiety behaviors in the monkey. Piperoxan is an alpha-adrenergic antagonist. Piperoxan has been claimed to preferentially block presynaptic alpha-adrenoreceptors leading to an increase in noradrenaline release and by this way the postsynaptic alpha-adrenoreceptors blockade may be overcome. There was clear evidence that piperoxan enhanced myocardial performance. Piperoxan is a diagnostic aid used in studies of hypertension.

Tolazoline, also known as priscoline, was used in treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. But that prescription was discontinued. Priscoline given intravenously produces vasodilatation, primarily due to a direct effect on vascular smooth muscle, and cardiac stimulation; the blood pressure response depends on the relative contributions of the two effects. Priscoline usually reduces pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance. The mechanisms of its therapeutic effects are not clear, but is known, that tolazoline is a non-selective competitive α-adrenergic receptor antagonist and it possesses histamine agonist activity.

Octodrine is a stimulant that is structurally similar to amphetamine and is included in several so-called “pre-workout” and “fat-burning” supplements. Octodrine, has a history of use as a pharmaceutical drug. It was originally developed in the United States as an aerosolized treatment for bronchitis, laryngitis and other conditions Initially approved by the FDA in 1946 as Eskay’s Oralator, this inhaler appeared only in the 1949 edition of the Physicians’ Desk Reference. Octodrine was combined with several other medications, including theophylline, 3-octopamine, and adenosine, in multi-ingredient tablets sold between the early 1960s through the mid-2000s under the trade names Ambredin, Ordinal, Ordinal Retard and Ordinal Forte. Some proponents say octodrine is a safer alternative to other stimulants like ephedra and Dimethylamylamine (DMAA), but there is no scientific information to support this claim. Originally developed in the early 1950’s as a remedy to nasal congestion and as a possible anti-tumor drug, Octodrine has resurfaced as a key ingredient in dietary supplements for its stimulant and thermogenic benefits.

Tocotrienols are a group of chemicals that are part of the vitamin E family. Tocotrienol is any of the four forms, alpha, beta, gamma and delta, of a member of the vitamin E family. It has potential hypocholesterolemic, antithrombotic, antioxidant, immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Tocotrienol inhibits the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, thereby lowering cholesterol levels. In addition, tocotrienol acts through multiple signal transduction pathways to induce cell cycle arrest and caspase-mediated apoptosis, and to decrease tumor cell proliferation. In addition, this agent may inhibit angiogenesis through the blockage of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and the subsequent inhibition of tumor cell-induced vessel formation. Also, this agent prevents free radical formation and inhibits lipid peroxidation, thereby preventing DNA cell damage. Tocotrienols are scare in nature. They are found most abundantly in crude palm oil extracted from palm fruits. Other sources are rice bran, wheat germ, oat and barley. These substances are available in supplement form as capsules or pills.

MK-467 (also known as Vatinoxan) is a peripheral α2 -adrenoceptor antagonist patented by American multinational pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc. for treatment of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and as blood platelet aggregation. In preclinical models Vatinoxan administration alleviate the unwanted cardiopulmonary effects of various α2-agonists (such as bradycardia, vasoconstriction, and hypoxemia). Because of its low lipophilicity MK-467 poorly penetrates the mammalian central nervous system and preserve the centrally mediated desired effects of α2-agonists. Simultaneous intramuscular injection of MK-467 hastened the absorption of α2-agonist drugs, which was manifested by rapid onset of sedation.

Domitor (medetomidine hydrochloride) is indicated for use in dogs: for restraint, sedation and analgesia associated with clinical examinations and procedures, minor surgery, pre-anaesthesia and as a premedicant before thiopentone-halothane general a naesthesiaand as a premedicant before general anaesthesia with propofol. In combination with butorphanol for sedation and analgesia, and as a premedicant prior to thiopentone anaesthesia. In cats: for restraint and sedation. Medetomidine is a potent and highly selective alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonist with both central and peripheral activity, and acting both presynaptically and postsynaptically. Its primary effects are sedative and analgesic resulting from its central depressant activity. It has no local anaesthetic properties. Like other compounds of its class there are secondary effects, including bradycardia. Blood pressure is increased but then returns to normal or just below. Body temperature is decreased in a dose dependent manner and intestinal motility is also reduced. The drug has been developed by Orion Pharma. It is currently approved for dogs in the United States, and distributed in the United States by Pfizer Animal Health and by Novartis Animal Health in Canada under the product name Domitor. The marketed product is a racemic mixture of two stereoisomers; dexmedetomidine is the isomer with more useful effects, and is now marketed as Dexdomitor.