Ingenol is an extremely weak PKC (protein kinase C) activator, with potent anticancer activity. Ingenol derivatives have received constant and multidisciplinary attention on account of their pleiotropic pattern of biological activity. This includes activation of PKC (protein kinase C), tumor-promotion, anticancer, and anti-HIV properties, and the possibility of dissecting co-cancerogenic and clinically useful activities has been demonstrated. Certain ingenol esters show powerful anticancer activity, and a structure-activity relationship model to discriminate between their apoptotic and non-apoptotic properties has been developed.

Chloroxylenol is used as a preservative in cooling fluids, cosmetics, topical medications, urinary antiseptics and metal working fluids. Products containing Chloroxylenol are used for cleaning and disinfecting wounds, abrasions and abscesses, for minor cuts and scratches, insect bites, burns, inflammation of the skin. It is also found in hair conditioners, toilet cleaners, deodorants, soaps and paste. New use cases continue to be identified. Chloroxylenol has been shown to be effective at reducing the number of pathogenic bacteria in clinical environments. Chloroxylenol has been reviewed and is permitted for use within the European Union (EU) in cosmetic products and is also permitted for use in a number of topical pharmaceutical products as licensed by the UK Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency. Chloroxylenol could cause mild skin irritation in some individuals, or cause an allergic reaction in others. Developed in Europe in the 1920s and used in the United States since the 1950s, Chloroxylenol is one of the most mature antimicrobial agents

Diamthazole is an antifungal drug that was used for the treatment of tinea pedis. The drug was withdrawn from the market, because it was associated with neuropsychiatric adverse reactions.

Thimerosal is organomercury antiseptic and antifungal agent, used as a preservative in vaccines, immuloglobulins, nasal sprays, contact lens solutions. In USA, European Union countries thiomersal is no longer used in childhood vaccines due to public fears, although the FDA review of 1999 foud no evidence of harm from the use of thimerosal as a vaccine preservative, other than local hypersensitivity reactions. Thimerosal was used as a component of topical antiseptic solution and antiseptic ointment for treating cuts, nasal sprays, eye solutions, vaginal spermicides, diaper rash treatments, but re-evaluation of the drug in 1980-s demonstrated ineffectiveness and toxicity in topical pharmaceutical products, and topical thimerosal was withdrawn from the market. The mechanism of action of thimerosal has not been fully elucidated. It is believed that thimerosal inhibits sulfhydryl-containing active site of various enzymes and binds to sulfhydryl compounds, such as glutathione, cysteine, and SH groups of protein. In addition, thimerosal activates the InsP3 calcium channel on endoplasmic reticular membrane, thereby triggering the release of calcium from intracellular stores resulting in a calcium-induced calcium-influx of extracellular calcium. Consequently, thimerosal may induce or inhibit cellular functions dependent on calcium signaling.

AMINOBENZOATE SODIUM is a salt of Aminobenzoic acid. Aminobenzoic acid is an intermediate in the synthesis of folate by bacteria, plants, and fungi. Many bacteria, including those found in the human intestinal tract such as E. coli, generate Aminobenzoic acid from chorismate by the combined action of the enzymes 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate synthase and 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate lyase. Plants produce Aminobenzoic acid in their chloroplasts, and store it as a glucose ester (pABA-Glc) in their tissues. Humans lack the enzymes to convert Aminobenzoic acid to folate, so require folate from dietary sources such as green leafy vegetables. In humans, Aminobenzoic acid is considered nonessential and, although it has been referred to historically as "vitamin Bx", is no longer recognized as a vitamin, because most people have colon bacteria that generate Aminobenzoic acid. The potassium salt is used as a drug against fibrotic skin disorders, such as Peyronie's disease, under the trade name Potaba.

Benzethonium chloride, also known as hyamine, is a synthetic quaternary ammonium salt. It has surfactant, antiseptic, and anti-infective properties and it is used as a topical antimicrobial agent in first aid antiseptics. It is also found in cosmetics and toiletries such as mouthwashes, anti-itch ointments, and antibacterial moist towelettes. Benzethonium chloride exhibits a broad spectrum of microbiocidal activity against bacteria, fungi, mold and viruses. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies that the safe and effective concentrations for benzethonium chloride are 0.1-0.2% in first aid products. Aqueous solutions of benzethonium chloride are not absorbed through the skin. It is not approved in the US or Europe for use as a food additive. Being a quaternary ammonium salt, it is more toxic than negatively charged surfactants. However, in a two-year study on rats, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity. Benzethonium chloride was characterized as a novel anticancer compound possessing both in vitro and in vivo efficacy justifying further investigation.

Phenylmercuric borate is classified as antimicrobial preservative. It is bactericidal against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. Fungicidal activity has been demonstrated against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Phenylmercuric borate (PHB) is very rapidly incorporated into the cells of Escherichia coli. On the membrane, an important part of PHB seems to be associated with the ribosomes and particularly to the ribosomal proteins. Phenylmercuric borate solution is indicated for the treatment of tonsillitis, otitis, vulvovaginitis, furuncles, anthrax and ulcers, pyoderma, impetus, gingivitis and stomatitis. The regular hand disinfection with a liquid soap containing phenylmercuric borate enhanced urinary excretion of mercury indicating an increase in total daily absorption of the toxic metal. The additional amounts of mercury absorbed through the use of mercury contained in skin disinfectants are potentially dangerous for human.

Pantothenic acid (known as Vitamin B5) is a water-soluble member of the B-vitamin family that is converted into 4’-phosphopantetheine, which is then converted to co-enzyme A (CoA) via adenosine triphosphate. Pantothenic acid regulates epidermal barrier function and keratinocytes differentiation via CoA metabolism. Pantothenic acid is incorporated into co-enzyme A and protects cells against peroxidative damage by increasing the level of glutathione. A recent feasibility study has also shown that daily oral supplementation of a nutritional agent containing pantothenic acid for 8 weeks was feasible and safe. It was discovered the different pharmacological implementation of pantothenic acid, such as treatment of acne, obesity. Existed some reports, mentioned efficacy using pantothenic acid in systemic lupus erythematosus. Significant reduction in morning stiffness, degree of disability, and severity of pain was reported for persons taking pantothenic acid in case of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin B5 may increase the effects of a group of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, which are used to treat Alzheimer's disease. That might lead to severe side effects.

Sulfanilamide is an anibiotic drug, which has been used for decades for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The drug blocks folic acid synthesis in bacterias by inhibitin the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase.

Merbromin (marketed as Mercurochrome, Merbromine) is a topical antiseptic used for minor cuts and scrapes. It is readily available in most countries but, because of its mercury content, it is no longer sold in Switzerland, France, Germany, and the United States. Merbromin's best-known use is as a topical antiseptic to treat minor wounds, burns, and scratches. It is also used in the antisepsis of the umbilical cord and the antisepsis of wound of difficult scar formation, like neuropathic ulcers, and diabetic foot sores. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998 classified merbromin as "not Generally Recognized as Safe" together with a multitude of other active compounds, based on the absence of interest on the part of pharmaceutical companies in funding new studies or updated supporting information, due to the high costs of said studies in comparison to sales, rather than due to being toxic. In the United States, its use has been superseded by other agents (e.g., povidone iodine, benzalkonium chloride, chloroxylenol). It is still an important antiseptic, particularly in developing nations, due to its “unbelievably low cost.”