CHOLINE is a basic constituent of lecithin that is found in many plants and animal organs. Choline was officially recognized as an essential nutrient by the Institute of Medicine in 1998.1 Its role in the body is complex. It is needed for neurotransmitter synthesis (acetylcholine), cell-membrane signaling (phospholipids), lipid transport (lipoproteins), and methyl-group metabolism (homocysteine reduction). It is the major dietary source of methyl groups via the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet). At least 50 AdoMet-dependent reactions have been identified in mammals, and it is likely that the number is much higher. Choline is required to make the phospholipids phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, choline plasmalogen, and sphingomyelin—essential components for all membranes. It plays important roles in brain and memory development in the fetus and appears to decrease the risk of the development of neural tube defects. The importance of choline in the diet extends into adulthood and old age. In a study of healthy adult subjects deprived of dietary choline, 77% of the men and 80% of the postmenopausal women developed signs of subclinical organ dysfunction (fatty liver or muscle damage). Less than half of premenopausal women developed such signs. Ten percent of the subjects studied developed fatty liver, muscle damage, or both when they consumed the Adequate Intake (AI) of choline. The damage was reversed when they consumed a high-choline diet. Plasma choline concentration has been found to vary in response to diet, decreasing approximately 30 percent in humans fed a choline-deficient diet for 3 weeks. Based on estimated dietary intakes and studies reporting liver damage with lower choline intakes, the Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board set the AI for choline at 425 milligrams/per day for women aged 19 and older, and 550 milligrams/per day for men aged 19 and older.

In cosmetics and personal care products, Benzoxiquine has been reported to be used in the formulation of hair tonics, dressings, and other hair grooming aids. Benzoxiquine is described as a biocide for use in cosmetic products. It is currently reported to be used in only one product. In a separate finding, the Food and Drug Administration determined that Benzoxiquine is not generally recognized as safe and effective in over-the-counter topical antifungal drug products. The only data available on the toxicity of Benzoxiquine indicates that it is mutagenic in the Ames test without metabolic activation. Because of the lack of data, the safety of Benzoxiquine could not be substantiated. The data needed to make a safety assessment include purity/impurities, ultraviolet absorption (if there is absorption, then photosensitization data will be needed), 28-day dermal toxicity, dermal teratogenicity, ocular irritation (if already available only), dermal irritation and sensitization, and two different genotoxicity studies (one using a mammalian system). If the latter data are positive, dermal carcinogenesis data using the methods of the National Toxicology Program will be needed. It cannot be concluded that Benzoxiquine is safe for use in cosmetic products until these safety data have been obtained and evaluated.

Pentoxyverine is a non-opioid antitussive used to prevent cough caused by common cold. It is used as an active ingredient of several oral over-the-counter cough suppressants alone or in combination with other medications, especially decongestants. Certuss is a combination of pentoxyverine and guaifenesin. Pentoxyverine is FDA pregnancy category C drug. Known as anticonvulsant, and spasmolytic agent.

Phenyltoloxamine is an ethanolamine derivative with antihistaminic property, which is used in combination with some analgesics for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains associated with headache; backache; muscular aches; temporarily reduces fever and some others disorders. Phenyltoloxamine blocks H1 histamine receptor, thereby inhibiting phospholipase A2 and production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, nitric oxide. Subsequent lack of activation of guanylyl cyclase through nitric oxide results in decreased cyclic GMP levels, thereby inhibiting smooth muscle constriction of various tissues, decreasing capillary permeability and decreasing other histamine-activated allergic reactions.