Theobromine is the primary alkaloid present in the cocoa and chocolate. Theobromine is found in the shells and beans of the cacao plant and it is extracted from the husks of the bean and used for the synthesis of caffeine. Theobromine is an adenosine A1 and A2a receptor antagonist. Thesodate is used as a vasodilator, a diuretic, and heart stimulant. And similar to caffeine, it may be useful in management of fatigue and orthostatic hypotension. The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by theobromine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include anxiety, restlessness, tremors, sleeplessness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite. Theobromine is currently not in use as a medicinal drug.

Xanthine derivative, diisobutylaminobenzoyloxypropyl theophylline (Vestphyllin), is a vasodilator, bronchodilator.

Doxofylline (7-(1, 3-dioxalan-2-ylmethyl) theophylline) is a novel xanthine bronchodilator which differs from theophylline in that it contains a dioxalane group in position 7. Doxofylline is indicated for the treatment of bronchial asthma, pulmonary disease with spastic bronchial component and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Doxofylline does not directly inhibit any of the known HDAC enzymes, and did not inhibit any phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzyme sub types or act as an antagonist at any of the known adenosine receptors, except for PDE2A(1), and adenosine A(2A) and only at the highest tested concentration (10(-4) M). Doxofylline has greatly decreased affinity towards adenosine A1 and A2 receptors, which explain its better safety profile. Moreover, it does not interfere with calcium influx into the cells nor antagonize calcium channel blockers. Doxofylline has been shown to be a more potent bronchodilator with fewer side effects than theophylline. This drug should not be administered together with other xanthine derivatives, including beverages and foods containing caffeine.

Acefylline is a stimulant drug of the xanthine chemical class. It acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist. Acephylline piperazine is a theophylline derivative with a direct bronchodilator action. It has the advantages over theophylline in being far less toxic and producing minimal gastric irritation. It is indicated for the treatment of asthma, emphysema, acute and chronic bronchitis associated with bronchospasm.Acefylline relaxes smooth muscles, relieves bronchospasm & has a stimulant effect on respiration. It stimulates the myocardium & central nervous system, decreases peripheral resistance & venous pressure & causes diuresis. The mechanism of action is still not clear, inhibition of phosphodiesterase with a resulting increase in intracellular cyclic AMP does occur, but not apparently at concentrations normally used for clinical effect. Other proposed mechanisms of action include adenosine receptor antagonism, prostaglandin antagonism & effects on intracellular calcium. Sodium phenobarbital is a non-selective central nervous system depressant that is primarily used as sedative-hypnotic.

Etofylline [7-(2-hydroxyethyl)theophylline] is a N-7-substituted derivative of theophylline, a smooth muscle relaxant. Etofylline is used to relieve bronchoconstriction. It may act as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and adenosine receptor antagonist.

Since its discovery as component of the tea leaf by Albert Kossel in 1888, the history of theophylline (CAS 58-55-9) has been a long and successful one. At the turn of the century, theophylline became less expensive due to chemical synthesis and was primarily used as diuretic in subsequent years. It was Samuel Hirsch who discovered the bronchospasmolytic effect of theophylline in 1992, however, despite this pioneering discovery theophylline continued to be used primarily as diuretic and cardiac remedy. The molecular mechanism of bronchodilatation is inhibition of phosphodiesterase(PDE)3 and PDE4, but the anti-inflammatory effect may be due to histone deacetylase (HDAC) activation, resulting in switching off of activated inflammatory genes. Theophylline is indicated for the treatment of acute exacerbations of the symptoms and reversible airflow obstruction associated with asthma and other chronic lung diseases, e.g., emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Since its discovery as component of the tea leaf by Albert Kossel in 1888, the history of theophylline (CAS 58-55-9) has been a long and successful one. At the turn of the century, theophylline became less expensive due to chemical synthesis and was primarily used as diuretic in subsequent years. It was Samuel Hirsch who discovered the bronchospasmolytic effect of theophylline in 1992, however, despite this pioneering discovery theophylline continued to be used primarily as diuretic and cardiac remedy. The molecular mechanism of bronchodilatation is inhibition of phosphodiesterase(PDE)3 and PDE4, but the anti-inflammatory effect may be due to histone deacetylase (HDAC) activation, resulting in switching off of activated inflammatory genes. Theophylline is indicated for the treatment of acute exacerbations of the symptoms and reversible airflow obstruction associated with asthma and other chronic lung diseases, e.g., emphysema and chronic bronchitis.