Thioctic acid also known as alpha-lipoic acid is a dietary supplement, which is a common ingredient in OTC (over-the-counter) multivitamin formulas and anti-aging supplements. Thioctic acid exists in both R- and S-enantiomeric forms, however, only R-form is essential as a cofactor in biological systems (the acid is coupled via an amide linkage to a lysine of several multienzyme complexes, such as the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, the glycine cleavage system and the branched-chain oxo acid dehydrogenase complex). Most commercially available thioctic acid supplements are a mixture of both R and S enantiomers or R-form alone. Several studies have shown that the acid has beneficial effect on diabetes complications, cancer, glaucome, liver disease, etc. The mechanisms of thioctic acid is related to its antioxidant properties, metal chelator properties, however, those mechanisms need futher confirmation.

Alfadex also known as α-cyclodextrin, is used as an inactive ingredient in order to improve the water solubility of the different drugs, e.g. edex: is a sterile, pyrogen-free powder containing alprostadil in an alfadex inclusion complex. After intravenous infusion of radiolabeled α-cyclodextrin to healthy volunteers, the radiolabeled components were rapidly eliminated within 24-hours, urine accounting for 81-83% of radioactivity and feces for 0.1%. There was no evidence of significant accumulation of radiolabeled α-cyclodextrin in the body even after 7 days of repeated intravenous injection. After intracavernous administration in monkeys, radiolabeled α¬ cyclodextrin was rapidly distributed from the injection site with less than 0.1% of the dose remaining in the penis 1 hour after administration. There was no evidence of tissue retention of radiolabeled α-cyclodextrin in monkeys.

Tocophersolan (Vedrop, tocofersolan) or d-alpha-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate (TPGS) is a watersoluble derivative of the natural active (d-alpha) isomer of vitamin E. The active constituent of the medicinal product is essentially vitamin E (alpha tocopherol). Chronic congenital or hereditary cholestasis is a clinical condition where vitamin E deficiency results from an impaired bile secretion. Decreased intestinal absorption observed in chronic congenital or hereditary cholestatic patients is due to decreased bile secretion and the resulting decrease in intestinal cellular absorption. As a result, fatsoluble vitamins (i.e. vit. E) are not absorbed properly and deficiency can occur. Tocophersolan (Vedrop) is used to treat or prevent vitamin E deficiency (low vitamin E levels). It is used in children up to the age of 18 years who have congenital or hereditary chronic cholestasis and who cannot absorb vitamin E from the gut. Tocophersolan (Tocofersolan) can be absorbed from the gut in children who have difficulty absorbing fats and vitamin E from the diet. This can increase vitamin E levels in the blood and help to prevent neurological deterioration (problems in the nervous system) due to vitamin E deficiency. No treatment-related findings were reported, as all clinical observations and findings at autopsy were similar in treatment and control groups. In many of the studies, the LD50 was not determined as tocofersolan was well tolerated.

Methyldopa is an aromatic-amino-acid decarboxylase inhibitor in animals and in man. Methyldopa is a medication that has been used to treat high blood pressure since the 1960s. Methyldopa is indicated in the treatment of moderate to severe hypertension, including that complicated by renal disease. Only methyldopa, the L-isomer of alpha-methyldopa, has the ability to inhibit dopa decarboxylase and to deplete animal tissues of norepinephrine. D-isomer is relatively inactive. In man the antihypertensive activity appears to be due solely to the L-isomer, which became generally known as methyldopa (Aldomet). About twice the dose of the racemate (Methyldopa anhydrous, (±)-; DL-alpha-methyldopa) is required for equal antihypertensive effect. Racemic alpha-methyldopa was shown to be much less effective or ineffective for the treatment of hypertension. The comparative study of the hypotensive effect of L-alpha-methyl-dopa (L-isomer) versus the racemic form was performed. The short-term hypotensive effects of the racemic form and the L-isomer of alpha-methyl-dopa were compared in 13 hospitalized patients with arterial hypertension. After a placebo period the active preparations in a fixed dose of 1.5 g daily were administered for three-day periods separated by a second placebo period of three days, the sequence of the active drugs being alternated. Both substances were shown to exert significant hypotensive effects. The L-isomer produced significant blood-pressure reductions irrespective of whether or not it was given first, whereas the racemic form was effective only when given first. The blood-pressure levels obtained with the L-isomer were throughout lower than those with the racemic form. Methyldopa is a centrally acting antihypertensive agent. It is metabolized to alpha-methylnorepinephrine in the brain, and this compound is thought to activate central alpha-2 adrenergic receptors

Choline alfoscerate (alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine or Alpha-GPC) is a nootropic choline-containing phospholipid. Choline alphoscerate increases the release of acetylcholine in rat hippocampus, facilitates learning and memory in experimental animals, improves brain transduction mechanisms and decreases age-dependent structural changes occurring in rat brain areas involved in learning and memory. The compound exerts neuroprotective effects in models of altered cholinergic neurotransmission and of brain vascular injury. In clinical studies choline alphoscerate improved memory and attention impairment, as well as affective and somatic symptoms in dementia disorders. In Europe alpha-GPC is a prescription medication for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It is available in two forms; one is taken by mouth, and the other is given as a shot. In the United States alpha-GPC is only available as a dietary supplement, mostly in products promoted to improve memory. Other uses for alpha-GPC include treatment of various kinds of dementia, stroke, and "mini-stroke" (transient ischemic attack, TIA). Alpha-GPC is also used for improving memory, thinking skills, and learning.

It is known that Vitamin E, traditionally known as α¬ tocopherol, is a mixture of eight different compounds, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, each one being designated as α, β, γ and δ forms. The two groups differ in the hydrophobic tridecyl side chain which is saturated (phytyl) in tocopherols and unsaturated having three double bonds (geranyl) in tocotrienols. During the last few years, it has been found that all the eight forms are biologically active and perform specific functions. Clinical research has shown that mixture of tocotrienols and tocopherols offer synergistic protective action against heart ailments and cancer that is not exclusively offered by α¬tocopherol. The other advantage of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols is their role in slowing down aging. Diseases like diabetes 1 and 2, autoimmune diseases, bacterial and viral infections, Alzheimer disease, fungal (Candida) infections are prevented by these compounds. It helps in the maintenance of bones, muscles, eyes (vision), memory, sleep, lungs, infertility, skin and wrinkles. Although all forms of Vitamin E exhibit antioxidant activity, it is known that the antioxidant activity of vitamin E is not sufficient to explain the vitamin's biological activity. Vitamin E's anti-atherogenic activity involves the inhibition of the oxidation of LDL and the accumulation of oxLDL in the arterial wall. Vitamin E's antithrombotic and anticoagulant activities involves the downregulation of the expression of intracellular cell adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM)-1 that lowers the adhesion of blood components to the endothelium. Its antioxidant effects explain the neuroprotective effects of vitamin E. The immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin E have been demonstrated in vitro, where alpha-tocopherol increases mitogenic response of T lymphocytes from aged mice. The mechanism of this response by vitamin E is not well understood, however it has been suggested that vitamin E itself may have mitogenic activity independent of its antioxidant activity. The mechanism of action of vitamin E's antiviral effects (primarily against HIV-1) involves its antioxidant activity. Vitamin E reduces oxidative stress, which is thought to contribute to HIV-1 pathogenesis, as well as to the pathogenesis of other viral infections. Vitamin E also affects membrane integrity and fluidity and, since HIV-1 is a membraned virus, altering membrane fluidity of HIV-1 may interfere with its ability to bind to cell-receptor sites, thus decreasing its infectivity.