Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) is a chromogenic substrate that, like other tetrazolium compounds, can be reduced to produce a colored formazan derivative. Conventionally, a semi-quantitative microscopic NBT assay is used to determine the production of superoxide anion (O2(-)) in various phagocytic cells. This microscopic assay is conducted by counting the cells containing blue NBT formazan deposits, which are formed by reduction of the membrane permeable, water-soluble, yellow-colored, nitroblue tetrazolium (Y-NBT) by O2(-). NBT test, the oldest and most recognized diagnostic test for chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), relies on light microscopy to provide a mostly qualitative determination of phagocyte NADPH oxidase activity: production of blue reduced NBT formazan in normal cells but not in those from patients with CGD. NBT can also be used as a chromogenic activity stain for oxidoreductases in gels or solutions. More commonly NBT is often paired with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-inolyl phosphate (PCIB) for the colorimetric detection of alkaline phosphatase activity. Alkaline phosphate converts PCIB to a product that reduces NBT to its formazan derivative, resulting in a black-purple precipitate.

Iocarmic acid is a molecule used in seventies as a contrast media for myelography. Iocarmate meglumine (Dimer-X), a water-soluble salt of iocarmic acid was reported to be safe and best tolerated by central nervous system compared to metrizamide in a double-blind test in patients with symptoms of lumbar and sacral root involvement. In the experimental and clinical studies of Dimer-X used for ventriculography the apparent superiority of Dimer-X over Conray 60 and Angiografin as far as side effects were concerned was demonstrated, but there were no particular differences in the intensities of the ventriculograms obtained. Morphological studies of the ventricles and histological examinations of the ventricular walls 1 month after injections of Dimer-X into the ventricles of dogs showed no abnormalities. In the clinical studies, ventriculography Dimer-X, performed on patients with diseases of the central nervous system, produced ventriculograms of good diagnostic value with no side effects, such as convulsions, apart from mild headache or vomiting in 4 instances. Ventriculography with Dimer-X was carried in 15 infants with myelomeningocele and progressive hydrocephalus. However, as was shown in a number of studies iocarmate produced moderate to severe arachnoiditis from myelography in primates. Early meningitis side effects following lumbar radiculography with iocarmate meglumine were demonstrated.

Glyceryl 1-stearate (Glycerol monostearate), commonly known as GMS, is an organic molecule used as an emulsifier. GMS is a white, odorless, and sweet-tasting flaky powder that is hygroscopic. It is a glycerol ester of stearicacid. It occurs naturally in the body as a product of the breakdown of fats by pancreatic lipase, and is also found in fatty foods. GMS is a food additive used as a thickening, emulsifying, anti-caking, and preservative agent; an emulsifying agent for oils, waxes, and solvents; a protective coating for hygroscopic powders; a solidifier and control release agent in pharmaceuticals; and a resin lubricant. It is also used in cosmetics and hair care products. Used in antiperspirants and deodorants, baby care, body care, facial care, sun care, conditioners, facial make-up, creams and lotions-skin care, sprayable emulsions, feet, hands and nails, self-tanning, nail grooming and color cosmetics. GMS is largely used in baking preparations to add "body" to the food. It is responsible for giving ice cream and whipped cream its smooth texture. It is sometimes used as an anti-staling agent in bread. Glycerol 1-stearate is affirmed by FDA as GRAS.

Benzalkonium chloride, also known as BZK, BKC, BAC, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and ADBAC, is a type of cationic surfactant. It is an organic salt called a quaternary ammonium compound. In 2011, a large clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of hand sanitizers based on different active ingredients in preventing virus transmission amongst schoolchildren was re-designed to exclude sanitizers based on benzalkonium chloride due to safety concerns. Benzalkonium chloride has been in common use as a pharmaceutical preservative and antimicrobial since the 1940s. While early studies confirmed the corrosive and irritant properties of benzalkonium chloride, investigations into the adverse effects of, and disease states linked to, benzalkonium chloride have only surfaced during the past 30 years. Benzalkonium chloride is classed as a Category III antiseptic active ingredient by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Ingredients are categorised as Category III when "available data are insufficient to classify as safe and effective, and further testing is required”. Benzalkonium chloride is excluded from the current United States Food and Drug Administration review of the safety and effectiveness of consumer antiseptics and topical antimicrobial over-the-counter drug products, meaning it will remain a Category III ingredient. The mechanism of bactericidal/microbicidal action is thought to be due to disruption of intermolecular interactions. This can cause dissociation of cellular membrane lipid bilayers, which compromises cellular permeability controls and induces leakage of cellular contents. Other biomolecular complexes within the bacterial cell can also undergo dissociation. Enzymes, which finely control a wide range of respiratory and metabolic cellular activities, are particularly susceptible to deactivation. Critical intermolecular interactions and tertiary structures in such highly specific biochemical systems can be readily disrupted by cationic surfactants. Benzalkonium chloride is a human skin and severe eye irritant. It is a suspected respiratory toxicant, immunotoxicant, gastrointestinal toxicant and neurotoxicant.

Acriflavine (ACF) is a topical antiseptic. The hydrochloride form is more irritating than the neutral form. It is derived from acridine. Commercial preparations are often mixtures with proflavine. Acriflavine was developed in 1912 by Paul Ehrlich, a German medical researcher, and was used during the First World War against sleeping sickness. ACF has known trypanocidal, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Effects of ACF on cancer cells were first reported 50 years ago. By present time was demonstrated that ACF a drug, that binds directly to HIF-1 alpha and HIF-2 alpha and inhibits HIF-1 dimerization and transcriptional activity and thus has potent inhibitory effects on tumor growth and vascularization. Also Acriflavine in combination with 3,6-diaminoacridine (proflavine) could prove to be a potential antimalarial drug and its pharmacological action can be due to inhibition of gyrase activity. This is achieved through interaction of the ACF with the DNA substrate. This interaction may lead to conformation change in DNA unsuitable for binding of gyrase with DNA.

PEG-2 Stearate is a polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid. The PEG Stearates are soft to waxy solids that are white to tan in color. In cosmetics and personal care products, PEG Stearates are used in skin creams, conditioners, shampoos, body cleansers and soapless detergents. PEG-2 Stearate had a potential for slight irritation in rabbits but was not a sensitizer in guinea pigs.