Zuretinol (QLT091001, 9-cis-retinol) is a retinoid. Retinoids (vitamin A and its analogs) are essential dietary substances that are needed by mammals for reproduction, normal embryogenesis, growth, vision, and maintaining normal cellular differentiation and the integrity of the immune system. Within cells, retinoids regulate gene transcription acting through ligand-dependent transcription factors, the retinoic acid receptors (RARs), and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). All-trans-retinoic acid binds only to RARs with high affinity, whereas its 9-cis isomer binds with high affinity to both RARs and RXRs. The actions of all-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid in regulating cellular responses are distinct and not interchangeable. Zuretinol is a retinal derivative for treatment of visual disorders. It is a synthetic retinoid replacement for 11-cis-retinal. It is an investigational product under development for the treatment of retinal diseases caused by gene mutations that interfere with the availability of 11-cis-retinal. The therapeutic strategy with Zuretinol is to facilitate recovery or restoration of visual function by acting as a replacement for missing 11-cis-retinal and restoring a key biochemical component of the visual (retinoid) cycle. Novelion Therapeutics is currently developing QLT091001 for the treatment of Inherited Retinal Disease caused by retinal pigment epithelium protein 65 (“RPE65”) and lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (“LRAT”) gene mutations, which include Leber Congenital Amaurosis (“LCA”) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (“RP”). QLT091001 has received orphan drug designations for the treatment of LCA (due to inherited mutations in the LRAT and RPE65 genes) and RP (all mutations) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), and for the treatment of LCA and RP (all mutations) by the European Medicines Agency (the “EMA”).

beta-Caryophyllene alcohol is a fragrance ingredient used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos, toilet soaps and other toiletries as well as in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents. Its use worldwide is in the region of <0.1 metric tonnes per annum. In vivo studies found that b-Caryophyllene alcohol significantly inhibited asthma induced by histamine and acetylcholine in guinea pigs with the efficacy lasting for at least 6 hours and with the potency equivalent to aminophylline. Inhibition of airway inflammation and scavenging of free radical and reactive oxygen species was one of the mechanisms of anti-asthmatic action

Sesamin is the most prominent lignan compound found in sesame seeds, one of the two highest sources of lignans in the human diet (the other being flax). Sesamin is catered to be a nutritional supplement that confers antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects (if touting its health properties) or possibly being an estrogen receptor modulator and fat burner (if targeting atheltes or persons wishing to lose weight). Sesamin has a few mechanisms, and when looking at it holistically it can be summed up as a fatty acid metabolism modifier. It appears to inhibit an enzyme known as delta-5-desaturase (Δ5-desaturase) which is a rate-limiting enzyme in fatty acid metabolism; inhibiting this enzyme results in lower levels of both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, one of the two fish oil fatty acids) as well as arachidonic acid, and this mechanism appears to be relevant following oral ingestion. The other main mechanism is inhibiting a process known as Tocopherol-ω-hydroxylation, which is the rate limiting step in the metabolism of Vitamin E; by inhibiting this enzyme, sesamin causes a relative increase of vitamin E in the body but particularly those of the gamma subset (γ-tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol) and this mechanism has also been confirmed to be active following oral ingestion. Sesamin is a potent and specific inhibitor of delta 5 desaturase in polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Sesamin inhibits a particular CYP3A enzymes that is involved in vitamin E metabolism, where the enzyme initially ω-hydroxylates vitamin E (required step) and then the rest of vitamin E is subject to fat oxidation. By inhibiting this step, sesamin causes an increase in circulating and organ concentrations of vitamin E. Sesamin is thought to have PPARα activating potential in the liver, but it is uncertain how much practical relevance this has in humans due to this being a mechanism that differs between species.

Dextromethorphan D6 is a weak uncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor. Dextromethorphan is also acts at nicotinic receptors, sigma-1 rcptor and serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. The incorporation of deuterium serves to reduce dextromethorphan first-pass liver metabolism. AVP-786 is an oral formulation of a combination of deuterated (d6)-dextromethorphan and an ultra-low dose of quinidine. Avanir Pharmaceuticals launched a phase III development program of AVP-786 for the treatment of agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Dextromethorphan D6 is a weak uncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor. Dextromethorphan is also acts at nicotinic receptors, sigma-1 rcptor and serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. The incorporation of deuterium serves to reduce dextromethorphan first-pass liver metabolism. AVP-786 is an oral formulation of a combination of deuterated (d6)-dextromethorphan and an ultra-low dose of quinidine. Avanir Pharmaceuticals launched a phase III development program of AVP-786 for the treatment of agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease.