Azelnidipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist being jointly developed by Daiichi Sankyo Inc (formerly Sankyo) and Ube Industries. Azelnidipine is a L-type calcium channel antagonist. Azelnidipine was approved by Pharmaceuticals and Medicals Devices Agency of Japan (PMDA) on Jan 31, 2003. Azelnidipine is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Its trend name is Calblock. Azelnidipine has two enantiomers (R-(−)- and S-(+)-enantiomers) due to an asymmetric carbon at the 4-position, and the (R)-(−) enantiomer of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists is considered to possess intrinsic pharmacological activity. The pharmacological action of azelnidipine resides in the (R)-enantiomer. This is in marked contrast to other calcium channel blocker (CCB) in which the (S)-enantiomer is responsible for the biological activity. There were no significant differences in the inhibitory effects on TGF-b1-induced expression of COL1A1 mRNA among vitamin E - pretreated LX-2 cells treated with azelnidipine (racemate), (R)-(-)-azelnidipine or (S)-(+)-azelnidipine, although the L-type voltage-operated calcium channel blocking activity of (R)-(-)- enantiomer was more potent than that of the (S)-(+)- enantiomer.

Azelnidipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist being jointly developed by Daiichi Sankyo Inc (formerly Sankyo) and Ube Industries. Azelnidipine is a L-type calcium channel antagonist. Azelnidipine was approved by Pharmaceuticals and Medicals Devices Agency of Japan (PMDA) on Jan 31, 2003. Azelnidipine is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Its trend name is Calblock. Azelnidipine has two enantiomers (R-(−)- and S-(+)-enantiomers) due to an asymmetric carbon at the 4-position, and the (R)-(−) enantiomer of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists is considered to possess intrinsic pharmacological activity. The pharmacological action of azelnidipine resides in the (R)-enantiomer. This is in marked contrast to other calcium channel blocker (CCB) in which the (S)-enantiomer is responsible for the biological activity. There were no significant differences in the inhibitory effects on TGF-b1-induced expression of COL1A1 mRNA among vitamin E - pretreated LX-2 cells treated with azelnidipine (racemate), (R)-(-)-azelnidipine or (S)-(+)-azelnidipine, although the L-type voltage-operated calcium channel blocking activity of (R)-(-)- enantiomer was more potent than that of the (S)-(+)- enantiomer.

Otilonium is a musculotropic spasmolytic agent belonging to the family of quaternary ammonium derivatives and successfully used in the treatment of patients affected by Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to its specific pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. The positive polarity of the head of the Otilonium molecule determines the main pharmacokinetic property of this drug: a minimal systemic absorption and the consequently high safety profile. Studies on animal models revealed a specific Otilonium accumulation in colonic circular muscle at therapeutic µm concentrations, while its plasma levels were 1000 times lower, together with a poor penetration of the drug in the central nervous system. Consistently, after oral administration to healthy volunteers, the Otilonium plasmatic concentration was very low, less than 1% of the drug was eliminated by urine, and 97% was eliminated by feces. Recent clinical studies showed comparable safety and tolerability for Otilonium and placebo. Otilonium was shown to inhibit the main patterns of human sigmoid motility in vitro, including: the tone of smooth muscle cells (SMCs); the rhythmic phasic contractions induced by the interstitial cells of Cajal; and the strong contractions induced by stimulation of enteric motor neurons mainly by blocking the calcium influx through L-type calcium channels on SMCs. Recent in vitro studies using cultured human colonic SMCs to further assess the musculotropic spasmolytic properties of Otilonium confirmed that this drug causes smooth muscle relaxation through the inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels (L-type > T-type) and the inhibition of muscarinic and tachykinergic effects.

Kavain is the main kavalactone found mostly in the roots of the kava plant. Kavain interacts with voltage-dependent Na+ and Ca2+ channels, GABAA ion channels. Kavain is found to be involved in TNF-alpha expression in human and mouse cells via regulation transcriptional factors. Kavain exhibits neuroprotective effects in models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and produces anxyolitic effect.

Benidipine is an orally triple L-, T-, and N-type calcium channel blocker for the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris synthesized and developed by Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. Benidipine, approved in Japan in November 1991, has become one of the three best selling CCBs and is highly useful as a potent, long-lasting antihypertensive and antianginal agent.

Ligustrazine (tetramethylpyrazine) is a bioactive ingredient extracted from the widely-used Chinese herb, Chuanxiong. It inhibits of platelet aggregation, enhances of vessel dilation, increases cerebral blood flow and possesses neuroprotective properties. The injection solution of ligustrazine has been used especially in China to treat ischemic stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetic nephropathy, and knee osteoarthritis. Ligustrazine was also evaluated in clinical as a remedy for pressure sores, as a salvage agent for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as a treatment for bronchial asthma and vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

Trimebutine [3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 2-(dimethylamino)-2-phenylbutylester] is a noncompetitive spasmolytic agent. The actions of trimebutine on the gastrointestinal tract are mediated via (i) an agonist effect on peripheral mu, kappa and delta opiate receptors and (ii) release of gastrointestinal peptides such as motilin and modulation of the release of other peptides, including vasoactive intestinal peptide, gastrin and glucagon. Trimebutine attenuated colonic motility mainly through the inhibition of L-type Ca(2+) channels at higher concentrations, whereas, at lower concentrations, it depolarized membrane potentials by reducing BK(ca) currents, resulting in the enhancement of the muscle contractions.Trimebutine accelerates gastric emptying, induces premature phase III of the migrating motor complex in the intestine and modulates the contractile activity of the colon. It is indicated for the treatment and relief of symptoms associated with the irritable bowel syndrome (spastic colon); and in postoperative paralytic ileus in order to accelerate the resumption of the intestinal transit following abdominal surgery.

Manidipine is a lipophilic, third-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist with a high degree of selectivity for the vasculature, thereby inducing marked peripheral vasodilation with negligible cardiodepression. In addition, manidipine does not significantly affect norepinephrine levels, suggesting a lack of sympathetic activation. It has a gradual onset of action and a long duration of action enabling once daily administration. Furthermore, manidipine dilates both the efferent and the afferent renal arterioles and appears to have beneficial renal effects unrelated to its antihypertensive effect. Once-daily oral manidipine is an effective and generally well tolerated antihypertensive agent for younger and elderly adult patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. In particular, in a large double-blind trial, the incidence of ankle oedema was significantly lower in manidipine than in amlodipine recipients. Manidipine is also effective in hypertensive patients with comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or renal impairment, and appears to improve insulin sensitivity without affecting metabolic function. Thus, manidipinerepresents a first-line treatment option for patients with essential mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Prenylamine, a slow Ca2+ channel blocker, was used to treat patients with angina pectoris, but because of the QT prolongation, this drug was withdrawn from the market. Prenylamine binds to calmodulin section and inhibits myosin light chain kinase.

Efonidipine is a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative for the treatment of hypertension and angina. Efonidipine exerts its antihypertensive and antianginal effects through blocking L- and T-type calcium channels.