Noscapine (also known as Narcotine, Nectodon, Nospen, Anarcotine and (archaic) Opiane) is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid from plants of the poppy family, without painkilling properties. This agent is primarily used for its antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects. Noscapine is often used as an antitussive medication. A 2012 Dutch guideline, however, does not recommend its use for coughing. Noscapine can increase the effects of centrally sedating substances such as alcohol and hypnotics. Noscapine should not be taken in conjunction with warfarin as the anticoagulant effects of warfarin may be increased. Noscapine, and its synthetic derivatives called noscapinoids, are known to interact with microtubules and inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Mechanisms for its antitussive action are unknown, although animal studies have suggested central nervous system as a site of action. Furthermore, noscapine causes apoptosis in many cell types and has potent antitumor activity against solid murine lymphoid tumors (even when the drug was administered orally) and against human breast and bladder tumors implanted in nude mice. Because noscapine is water-soluble and absorbed after oral administration, its chemotherapeutic potential in human cancer merits thorough evaluation. Antifibrotic effect of noscapine based on novel mechanism, which it shows through EP2 prostaglandin E2 receptor-mediated activation of protein kinase A.

Diethyl ether (ether) had been widely used for anesthesia until the 1960s despite its explosive properties and toxicity to both humans and animals. Diethyl ether still serves a role today as an effective inhalation agent. Newer inhalation agents have replaced ether completely and open drop delivery systems have been exchanged for complicated vaporizers and monitoring systems. Anesthesia in the developing world, however, still closely resembles primitive anesthetics.

Diethyltoluamide (DEET) is an insect repellent used to keep insects away. This product is effective against mosquitoes, biting flies (gnats, sandflies, deer flies, stable flies, black flies), ticks, harvest mites, and fleas. DEET is absorbed through the skin. DEET has few adverse effects when applied as directed. The most common problem is local skin irritation, including erythema and pruritis, at the site of application.

Retinyl propionate is a synthetic derivative of a Vitamin A. Upon topical application, retinyl propionate is hydrolyzed by esterases to retinol, which is ultimately converted to retinoic acid. In mouse models, retinyl propionate induced epidermal thickening in mouse tail and promoted collagen formation in UV-irradiated mice. These results encouraged clinical trials of retinyl palmitate against photoaging. Topical retinyl propionate cream (0.15%) did not demonstrate any statistically significant improvement over placebo, but in later studies of combinations of retinyl propionate with climbazole or niacinamide improvements in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots were demonstrated.

Butylated hydroxytoluene, commonly known as BHT, is an organic compound that is used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industry as an antioxidant. BHT is a substituted derivative of phenol. BHT helps to prevent the formation of free radicals and oxidation. When used in food products, it delays oxidative rancidity of fats and oils, and prevents loss of activity of oil-soluble vitamins. It may be found in pharmaceutical gels, creams and liquid or gelatin capsules, tablets and other pharmaceutical dosage forms. The ability of oral BHT to lead to cancer is a controversial topic, but most food industries have replaced it with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). BHT was first used as an antioxidant food additive in 1954. BHT does have other commercial uses, as in animal feeds and in the manufacture of synthetic rubber and plastics, where it also acts as an antioxidant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has deemed that BHT is safe enough when used in limited concentrations. It currently permits its use in concentrations of about 0.01% to 0.02% in most foods. As an emulsion stabilizer in shortening, it may be used in a somewhat higher concentration, 200 parts per million.

Ethylparaben is produced naturally and found in several fruits and insects, where it acts as an antimicrobial agent. Ethylparaben is mainly used as antiseptics in cosmetics, food and medicine (E number E214). It is also can be used as feed preservatives and antiseptic for bacteria. Ethylparaben is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or through the skin. It is hydrolyzed to p-hydroxybenzoic acid and rapidly excreted in urine without accumulating in the body. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market. Broad concentration ranges reported in each product category in 1981 were < 0.1% and > 0.1% to 1%. Studies show the in vivo estrogenicity of MP and EP at human exposure levels, and indicate that populations exposed to large amounts of MP and EP may have a high burden of estrogenicity-related diseases.

Calcium stearate is a carboxylate of calcium, classified as a calcium soap. Calcium stearate is a component of some lubricants, surfactants, as well as many foodstuffs. It is a white waxy powder. Calcium stearate is a waxy material with low solubility in water, unlike traditional sodium and potassium soaps. Calcium stearate is also easy and cheap to produce and exhibits low toxicity. These attributes are the basis of many of its applications.

Montmorillonite is a very soft phyllosilicate group of minerals that form when they precipitate from water solution as microscopic crystals, known as clay. Montmorillonite is a typical weathering of aluminosilicates and one of the main minerals in many soils. Montmorillonite is the main component of bentonite that found in many sedimentary rocks. Due to its high adsorption properties, montmorillonite is used in the oil, textile, paper, and soap industries as an active component of bleaching and cloth clay. Montmorillonite is used in the oil drilling industry as a component of drilling mud, making the mud slurry viscous, which helps in keeping the drill bit cool and removing drilled solids. It is also used as a soil additive to hold soil water in drought-prone soils, used in the construction of earthen dams and levees, and to prevent the leakage of fluids. It is also used as a component of foundry sand and as a desiccant to remove moisture from air and gases. Montmorillonite is effective as an adsorptive of heavy metals and has been used and eaten from ancient time till now. For external use, montmorillonite has been used to treat contact dermatitis and in the materials produced for orthopedics, traumatology, dentistry.

Antimony sodium tartrate (stibophen) is a trivalent antimony compound having the same actions and uses as the potassium tartrate but more water-soluble and less irritant when injected. Antimony sodium tartrate has been used in the treatment of Schistosomiasis since 1918. It is a toxic drug and may cause unpleasant side-effects.This drug is now rarely used in the therapy of leishmaniasis, as drugs which are much better tolerated are available