(1,1'-Biphenyl)-3,3',4,4'-tetramine (3,3'-Diaminobenzidine, DAB) is an organic benzidine derivative, that used as a precursor to polybenzimidazoles. As its water-soluble tetrahydrochloride, (1,1'-Biphenyl)-3,3',4,4'-tetramine has been used in immunohistochemical staining of nucleic acids and proteins. Diaminobenzidine is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of hemoglobin to give a dark-brown color. This color change is used to detect fingerprints in blood. The solubility of (1,1'-Biphenyl)-3,3',4,4'-tetramin in water allows for adaptability compared to other detection solutions which use toxic solvents. In research, this reaction is used to stain cells that were prepared with hydrogen peroxidase enzyme, following common immunocytochemistry protocols. Relevant to Alzheimer's disease, Aβ protein amyloid plaques are targeted by a primary antibody, and subsequently by a secondary antibody, which is conjugated to a peroxidase enzyme. This will bind (1,1'-Biphenyl)-3,3',4,4'-tetramine as a substrate and oxidize it, producing an easily observable brown color. Plaques can then be quantified for further evaluation.

Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine or TCEP is a potent, versatile, odorless, thiol-free reducing agent with broad application to protein and other research involving reduction of disulfide bonds. Because TCEP does not contain thiols, it does not have to removed from solutions before performing reactions involving maleimide labeling or cross-linking reagents. TCEP may be used as a substitute for DTT or 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) in reducing sample loading buffer for SDS-PAGE. One strategy for labeling antibodies involves reducing disulfide bonds in the hinge region of IgG molecules without also reducing those connecting heavy and light chains.

Lycorine is a natural pyrrolo[de]phenanthridine ring-type alkaloid extracted from Amaryllidaceae. It has been reported to exhibit a wide range of physiological effects, including anti-viral, anti-malarial, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. Although a defined target or mechanism of action of lycorine is still unknown, it is a candidate anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drug.