Tartaric acid is found in many plants such as grapes, tamarinds, pineapples, mulberries and so on. Wine lees (called mud in the US), the sediment collected during the fermentation of grapes, contains potassium bitartrate (potassium hydrogen tartrate) as its major component. L-(+)-tartaric acid is an enantiomer of tartaric acid. Twenty five years before the tetrahedral structure for carbon was proposed in 1874 to explain the optical activity and other properties of organic compounds, Louis Pasteur discovered the existence of enantiomerism in tartaric acid. L-(+)-tartaric acid is widely used in food and beverage as acidity regulator with E number E334.

Coluracetam (code name BCI-540; formerly MKC-231) is a nootropic agent of the racetam family. It was initially developed and tested by the Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation for Alzheimer's disease. After the drug failed to reach endpoints in its clinical trials it was in-licensed by BrainCells Inc for investigations into major depressive disorder (MDD). Like most racetam compounds, Coluracetam increases choline uptake, but it also increases uptake in damaged neurons. Specifically, Coluracetam interacts with the HACU process, which is responsible for absorbing choline into the neurons. This increased uptake occurs during the Acetylcholine synthesis process. Since Coluracetam improves choline preservation during this process, a larger amount is converted into Acetylcholine. This results in increased memory, attention and alertness. It is important to note here, that these benefits were only seen in subjects with previously impaired neurons, not in subjects with normally functioning neurons. Coluracetam is also shown to improve AMPA potentiation, which is a process that triggers cognitive function and alertness. Although Coluracetam interacts with choline transporters as well, there isn’t enough evidence to explain why or how this interaction occurs, or what occurs after the interaction. Coluracetam has been in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of major depression and anxiety. However, this research has been discontinued.

Neboglamine is a functional modulator of the glycine site on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Neboglamine appeared to promote neuronal growth as measured by expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and lateral septal nucleus. Neboglamine behaves as a potential antipsychotic. Neboglamine is in phase II clinical trials by Rottapharm for the treatment of schizophrenia and cocaine abuse.

Dicarbine is an orally active drug approved in Russia under the trade name Карбидин, is used for the treatment patients with schizophrenia and alcoholic psychosis. This drug blocks dopamine receptors in various brain parts, which leads to a reduction in the productive symptoms of psychosis: delusions and hallucinations.

Imisopasem Manganese is a manganese-based non-peptidyl mimetic of the human mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), with potential antioxidant and radioprotective activities. Metaphore Pharmaceuticals Inc. is developing Imisopasem Manganese for the potential treatment of pain, dermatological disease and inflammation. Upon administration, imisopasem manganese mimics the activity of MnSOD and scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion, which prevents oxygen free radical damage to macromolecules such as DNA. This reduces ROS-mediated lipid peroxidation, prevents apoptosis and protects against oxygen free radical-induced toxicity in normal tissues.

Dupracetam is the piracetam derivative. It is amide type nootrope agent (cognition enhancer). Dupracetam was developed as central stimulant. Metabolite of dupracetam, 1-Methylhydantoin, was shown to be cytotoxic for renal proximal tubular cells.

Gomisin A (BESIGOMSIN/GA) one of the major dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis Baill, has proved to possess a variety of pharmacological effects. It has been found to promote hepatocyte growth factor, limit lipid peroxidation, and inhibit apoptosis in acute hepatic injury animal models. Besigomsine also acts as an anti-inflammatory by preventing the release of arachidonic acid in macrophages in vitro. Laboratory evidence suggests that Besigomsine may have anticarcinogenic effects. Chronic administration of Gomisin A had an antihypertensive effect in AngII-induced hypertensive mice. Gomisin A may exert neuroprotective effects by attenuating the microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory response via inhibiting the TLR4-mediated NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways. Also it induces marked protective effects against hepatic and renal injury induced by CCl(4) exposure through differential regulation of the MAPK signal transduction pathway.

AstraZeneca (formerly Astra) is developing robalzotan (NAD-299, AZD-7371), a 5-HT1A antagonist, for the potential treatment of depression and anxiety. The compound has entered phase II trials but was discontinued. Then it investigated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, but the study was prematurely terminated. The same final has expected the development of robalzotan in phase II to treat overactive bladder, this investigation was terminated in July 2005.

Siagoside (Sygen, AGF 2) is a naturally occurring substance in the nerve cell’s membrane that is thought to play a role in cell growth, development, and repair. Siagoside completed phase 2 trials for parkinson's disease (PD) treatment. Sygen appears to be beneficial in patients with severe spinal cord injury. Treatment results in a 52% decrease in mortality 48 hours after the induction of ischemia in gerbils by permanent unilateral ligation of the common carotid artery.

Seclazone was developed as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. This compound also possesses analgesic and antipyretic properties. Information about the current use of this compound is not available.