Norvancomycin is an analog of glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin. It was first found to be produced by a soil microorganisms such Nocardia orientalis and Amycolatopsis orientalis and recently was found in actinomycete Amycolatopsis orientalis CPCC200066. Norvancomycin can be derived by demethylation at N-terminus of vancomycin. It has significant inhibitory activity against Gram-positive cocci and bacilli. The mode of action of norvancomycin is based on its ability to bind to the cell-wall peptidoglycan of Gram-positive bacteria terminating tripeptide -L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala. Similar to vancomycin in terms of antibacterial activity, spectrum and clinical efficacy norvancomycin has more potent antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and higher affinity for bacteria cell wall analogue DALAA than vancomycin. Norvancomycin has been widely used in China to treat endocarditis, osteomyelitis and other severe infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains). The adverse drug reactions of norvancomycin are like vancomycin, such as nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, rash and itching. Norvancomycin is not available therapeutically outside of China.

Solasonine, a known glycoalkaloid, is a potential anti-cancer agent. Solasonine is a component of Curaderm BEC5 indicated for the topical treatment of actinic keratosis, keratoacanthoma, basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous superficial squamous cell carcinoma. BEC is a standardized mixture of Solamargine (33%), Solasonine (33%) and di-and monoglycosides of solasodine (34%) extracted from S. sodomaeum, now reclassified as S. linnaeanum. Solasonine could inhibit cell proliferation, migration and colony formation of glioma cells. Treatment of solasonine induced apoptosis via modulating cytochrome c and caspase signaling. Besides, solasonine decreased the expression of proinflammatory mediators and nuclear translocalization of NF-κB p50/p65. Mechanistic investigation further revealed that solasonine may target anti-inflammatory signaling pathway, and more specifically p-p38 and p-JNK MAPKs.

Alcuronium (diallylnortoxiferine) is a semi-synthetic substance prepared from C-toxiferine I a bis-quaternary alkaloid obtained from Strychnos toxifera. Alcuronium is a neuromuscular blocking (NMB) agent, alternatively referred to as a skeletal muscle relaxant. Alcuronium is used for endotracheal intubation and to produce muscle relaxation in general anesthesia during surgical procedures. The pharmacological action of alcuronium is readily reversed by neostigmine, and it produced little histamine release. The major disadvantage of alcuronium is that it elicits a vagolytic effect produced by a selective atropine-like blockade of cardiac muscarinic receptors.

TEICOPLANIN A2-5 is a component of a teicoplanin complex antibiotic, which consist of six closely related glycopeptide subcomponents. TEICOPLANIN A2-5 being the most lipophilic in protein binding. Bacteria treated with the drug failed to incorporate GlcNAc, a peptidoglycan precursor, whereas they continued to synthesize DNA, RNA, and protein. The cell wall inhibition was accompanied by an accumulation of UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide, thus indicating that the antibiotic interferes with the polymerization of the peptidoglycan but not with the synthesis of soluble precursors. Teicoplanin is indicated in adults and in children from birth for the parenteral treatment of the following infections: complicated skin and soft tissue infections; bone and joint infections; complicated urinary tract infections; infective endocarditis; bacteraemia that occurs in association with any of the indications listed above. The following side-effects may occur: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain, skin rash and pruritus, bronchospasm, renal impairment. Teicoplanin should be administrated with caution in patients receiving concurrent nephrotoxic or ototoxic drugs, such as aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, cyclosporine and frusemide.

Protodioscin is a steroidal saponin compound found in a number of plant species, most notably in the Tribulus, Trigonella and Dioscorea families. Extracts from T. terrestris standardised have been demonstrated to produce proerectile effects in isolated tissues and aphrodisiac action in several animal species. Protodioscin have shown cytotoxic effects against a number of leukemia and solid tumors cell lines.

Dalbavancin is a mixture of five closely related active homologs (A0, A1, B0, B1, and B2); the component B0 is the major component of dalbavancin. The predominant component of dalbavancin is Factor B0, which accounts for >75% of the whole complex. Dalbavancin is a second-generation lipoglycopeptide antibiotic that was designed to improve on the natural glycopeptides currently available, such as vancomycin and teicoplanin. Modifications from these older glycoprotein classes allowed a similar mechanism of action with increased activity and once weekly dosing. Its use is indicated for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by the following gram-positive microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant strains), S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, and S. anginosus group (including S. anginosus, S. intermedius, and S. constellatus). Under the brand name DALVANCE Dalbavancin is indicated for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by designated susceptible strains of Gram-positive microorganisms. The bactericidal action of dalbavancin results primarily from inhibition of cell-wall biosynthesis. Specifically, dalbavancin prevents incorporation of N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)- and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG)-peptide subunits from being incorporated into the peptidoglycan matrix; which forms the major structural component of Gram-positive cell walls. The large hydrophilic molecule is able to form hydrogen bond interactions with the terminal D-alanyl-D-alanine moieties of the NAM/NAG-peptides, which is normally a five-point interaction. Binding of dalbavancin to the D-Ala-D-Ala prevents the incorporation of the NAM/NAG-peptide subunits into the peptidoglycan matrix. In addition, dalbavancin alters bacterial-cell-membrane permeability and RNA synthesis.