Methyl palmitate is one of endogenous fatty acid methyl esters. It has been demonstrated that methyl palmitate inhibited phagocytic activity and the effect was accompanied by differential expression of cytokines, nitric oxide, and COX-2. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that methyl palmitate has the potential to inhibit macrophages in general and also has promising anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. The drug was tested in vivo on preclinical models of epidural fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, liver fibrosis and edema.

Selenium (Se) is mineral that is found in soil and occurs naturally in certain foods (such as whole grains, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and seafood). Selenium, which is nutritionally essential for humans, is a constituent of more than two dozen selenoproteins that play critical roles in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, and protection from oxidative damage and infection. Selenium is used to treat or prevent selenium deficiency. Selenium deficiency produces biochemical changes that might predispose people who experience additional stresses to develop certain illnesses. For example, selenium deficiency in combination with a second stress (possibly a viral infection) leads to Keshan disease, a cardiomyopathy that occurred in parts of China prior to a government-sponsored selenium supplementation program that began in the 1970s. Before the Chinese government supplementation program, adults in the Keshan disease areas had average selenium intakes of no more than 11 mcg/day; intakes of at least 20 mcg/day protect adults from Keshan disease. Selenium has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to treat Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and to treat high cholesterol. Selenium is an important enzyme in the prevention of cellular damage by free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Selenium is first metabolized to selenophosphate and selenocysteine. Selenium incorporation is genetically encoded through the RNA sequence UGA. This sequence is recognized by RNA ste loop structures called selenocysteine inserting sequences (SECIS). These structures require the binding of SECIS binding proteins (SBP-2) to recognize selenocystiene. The specialized tRNA is first bound to a serine residue which is then enzymatically processed to a selylcysteyl-tRNA by selenocystiene sythase using selenophosphate as a selenium donor. Other unidentified proteins are required as part of the binding of this tRNA to the ribosome. Numerous studies in animal models and more recent studies in humans have demonstrated cancer chemopreventive effects with Se. There is extensive evidence that monomethylated forms of Se are critical metabolites for chemopreventive effects of Se. Induction of apoptosis in transformed cells is an important chemopreventive mechanism. Apoptosis can be triggered by micromolar levels of monomethylated forms of Se independent of DNA damage and in cells having a null p53 phenotype. Cell cycle protein kinase cdk2 and protein kinase C are strongly inhibited by various forms of Se. Inhibitory mechanisms involving modification of cysteine residues in proteins by Se have been proposed that involve formation of Se adducts of the selenotrisulfide (S-Se-S) or selenenylsulfide (S-Se) type or catalysis of disulfide formation. Selenium may facilitate reactions of protein cysteine residues by the transient formation of more reactive S-Se intermediates. A novel chemopreventive mechanism is proposed involving Se catalysis of reversible cysteine/disulfide transformations that occur in a number of redox-regulated proteins, including transcription factors. A time-limited activation mechanism for such proteins, with deactivation facilitated by Se, would allow normalization of critical cellular processes in the early stages of transformation. Randomized controlled trials of selenium supplementation for cancer prevention have yielded conflicting results. In 2003, the FDA allowed a qualified health claim on foods and dietary supplements containing selenium to state that while “some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer… FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive”. Selenium is available in multivitamin/multimineral supplements and as a stand-alone supplement, often in the forms of selenomethionine or of selenium-enriched yeast (grown in a high-selenium medium) or as sodium selenite or sodium selenate.

Ascorbyl palmitate is a fat soluble vitamin C ester. An ester is simply a compound formed by the combination of an organic acid and an alcohol – in this case it is ascorbic acid and palmitic acid (a fat – which is composed of fatty acids and glycerol - an alcohol). Therefore, ascorbyl palmitate is formed by the esterification of ascorbic acid with palmitic acid to form vitamin C ester. Ascorbyl palmitate is an amphipathic molecule, meaning one end is water-soluble and the other end is fat-soluble. This dual solubility allows it to be incorporated into cell membranes. When incorporated into the cell membranes of human red blood cells, ascorbyl palmitate has been found to protect them from oxidative damage and to protect alpha-tocopherol (a fat-soluble antioxidant) from oxidation by free radicals. Basically, the fat-soluble aspect of ascorbyl palmitate extends vitamin C free radical protection into the fat parts of the body. However, the protective effects of ascorbyl palmitate on cell membranes have only been demonstrated in the test tube (in vitro). Taking ascorbyl palmitate orally may not result in any significant incorporation into cell membranes because most of it appears to be hydrolyzed (broken apart into palmitate and ascorbic acid) in the human digestive tract before it is absorbed. The ascorbic acid released by the hydrolysis of ascorbyl palmitate appears to be as bioavailable as ascorbic acid alone. The presence of ascorbyl palmitate in oral supplements contributes to the ascorbic acid content of the supplement and probably helps protect fat-soluble antioxidants in the supplement. This is also true for food products. Ascorbyl palmitate is used to increase the shelf life of vegetable oils and potato chips. The role of vitamin C in promoting collagen synthesis and its antioxidant properties have generated interest in its use on the skin. Ascorbyl palmitate is frequently used in topical preparations because it is more stable than some aqueous (water-soluble) forms of vitamin C. It is also suggested that this form of vitamin C is better able to penetrate the skin and the thin membrane of cells (due to its dual solubility), which can then go on to help produce collagen and elastin.

Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) is the main lipid component of surfactant, it reduces surface tension, preventing collapse of the alveoli. It is used in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress. It is an important constituent of the number of surfactant, such as Curosurf®, Lucinactant, Exosurf. Porcine-derived lung surfactant Curosurf® (poractant alfa) intratracheal suspension is indicated for the rescue treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. Each milliliter of suspension contains 80 mg of poractant alfa that includes 76 mg of phospholipids and 1 mg of protein of which 0.45 mg is SP-B and 0.59 mg is SP-C. The amount of phospholipids is calculated from the content of phosphorus and contains 55 mg of phosphatidylcholine of which 30 mg is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. Curosurf reduces mortality and pneumothoraces associated with RDS. Lucinactant is a new synthetic peptide-containing surfactant for intratracheal use. It contains sinapultide, phospholipids (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC and palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylglycerol, POPG) and a fatty acid (palmitic acid). Intended for the prevention of RDS in premature infants at high risk for RDS. FDA approved on March 6, 2012. Exosurf, approved by FDA in 1990, is a protein-free surfactant composed of 85% dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, 9% hexadecanol, and 6% tyloxapol by weight.

Cetyl Palmitate, wax-like substance, is used as an inactive ingredient in different cosmetic and personal care products e.g., in FINEVIN. This cream is used for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Cetyl Palmitate also functions as a binder to provide adhesive qualities during and after compression to make tablets or cakes.

Tocophersolan (Vedrop, tocofersolan) or d-alpha-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate (TPGS) is a watersoluble derivative of the natural active (d-alpha) isomer of vitamin E. The active constituent of the medicinal product is essentially vitamin E (alpha tocopherol). Chronic congenital or hereditary cholestasis is a clinical condition where vitamin E deficiency results from an impaired bile secretion. Decreased intestinal absorption observed in chronic congenital or hereditary cholestatic patients is due to decreased bile secretion and the resulting decrease in intestinal cellular absorption. As a result, fatsoluble vitamins (i.e. vit. E) are not absorbed properly and deficiency can occur. Tocophersolan (Vedrop) is used to treat or prevent vitamin E deficiency (low vitamin E levels). It is used in children up to the age of 18 years who have congenital or hereditary chronic cholestasis and who cannot absorb vitamin E from the gut. Tocophersolan (Tocofersolan) can be absorbed from the gut in children who have difficulty absorbing fats and vitamin E from the diet. This can increase vitamin E levels in the blood and help to prevent neurological deterioration (problems in the nervous system) due to vitamin E deficiency. No treatment-related findings were reported, as all clinical observations and findings at autopsy were similar in treatment and control groups. In many of the studies, the LD50 was not determined as tocofersolan was well tolerated.