Noscapine (also known as Narcotine, Nectodon, Nospen, Anarcotine and (archaic) Opiane) is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid from plants of the poppy family, without painkilling properties. This agent is primarily used for its antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects. Noscapine is often used as an antitussive medication. A 2012 Dutch guideline, however, does not recommend its use for coughing. Noscapine can increase the effects of centrally sedating substances such as alcohol and hypnotics. Noscapine should not be taken in conjunction with warfarin as the anticoagulant effects of warfarin may be increased. Noscapine, and its synthetic derivatives called noscapinoids, are known to interact with microtubules and inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Mechanisms for its antitussive action are unknown, although animal studies have suggested central nervous system as a site of action. Furthermore, noscapine causes apoptosis in many cell types and has potent antitumor activity against solid murine lymphoid tumors (even when the drug was administered orally) and against human breast and bladder tumors implanted in nude mice. Because noscapine is water-soluble and absorbed after oral administration, its chemotherapeutic potential in human cancer merits thorough evaluation. Antifibrotic effect of noscapine based on novel mechanism, which it shows through EP2 prostaglandin E2 receptor-mediated activation of protein kinase A.

Diethyl ether (ether) had been widely used for anesthesia until the 1960s despite its explosive properties and toxicity to both humans and animals. Diethyl ether still serves a role today as an effective inhalation agent. Newer inhalation agents have replaced ether completely and open drop delivery systems have been exchanged for complicated vaporizers and monitoring systems. Anesthesia in the developing world, however, still closely resembles primitive anesthetics.

Quinine ascorbate is a salt of antimalarial drug quinine and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Ascorbate reduces the potency of quinolone-containing anti-malarial drugs. Quinine ascorbate was marketed as a component of over-the-counter smoking deterrent products but was not recognized as safe by the FDA regulation in 1993.

Menatetrenone (INN), also known as MK4, is a vitamin K compound used as a hemostatic agent, and also as adjunctive therapy for the pain of osteoporosis. MK4 is marketed for the osteoporosis indication in Japan by Eisai Co., under the trade name Glakay. Has several mechanism of actions: (1) Acceleration of osteogenesis. In human osteoblast cultures, calcification was accelerated by administration of menatetrenone at a concentration of 2.25 × 10-6 mol/L alone or when it was coadministered with 1,25(OH)2D3. The osteocalcin content in the cell layers was increased by coadministration with 1,25(OH)2D3. 2. Inhibition of bone resorption. In organ cultures of mouse calvaria, at concentrations of 3 × 10-6 to 3 × 10-5 mol/L, menatetrenone inhibited bone resorption induced by IL-1α, PGE2, PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3. In mouse bone marrow cell cultures, at concentrations of 3 × 10-6 to 1 × 10-5 mol/L, menatetrenone inhibited the induction of osteoclast release by 1,25(OH)2D3. 3. Effect on serum level of osteocalcin. Menatetrenone was administered to patients with osteoporosis at a dose of 45 mg/day for 2 years. Menatetrenone increased the serum level of osteocalcin and decreased the serum level of Glu-osteocalcin.

2′-Deoxycytidine (deoxyC) is one of the deoxy nucleosides, which after phosphorylation to dCTP is used to synthesize DNA via various DNA polymerases or reverse transcriptases. Deoxycytidine is phosphorylated by deoxycytidine kinase (dCK). This enzyme catalyzes the initial conversion of the nucleosides deoxyadenosine (dA), deoxyguanosine (dG), and deoxycytidine (dC) into their monophosphate forms, with subsequent phosphorylation to the triphosphate forms performed by additional enzymes.

Tocotrienols are a group of chemicals that are part of the vitamin E family. Tocotrienol is any of the four forms, alpha, beta, gamma and delta, of a member of the vitamin E family. It has potential hypocholesterolemic, antithrombotic, antioxidant, immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Tocotrienol inhibits the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, thereby lowering cholesterol levels. In addition, tocotrienol acts through multiple signal transduction pathways to induce cell cycle arrest and caspase-mediated apoptosis, and to decrease tumor cell proliferation. In addition, this agent may inhibit angiogenesis through the blockage of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and the subsequent inhibition of tumor cell-induced vessel formation. Also, this agent prevents free radical formation and inhibits lipid peroxidation, thereby preventing DNA cell damage. Tocotrienols are scare in nature. They are found most abundantly in crude palm oil extracted from palm fruits. Other sources are rice bran, wheat germ, oat and barley. These substances are available in supplement form as capsules or pills.

Menaquinone 6 (vitamin K2) is the major isoprenoid quinone found in bacterias. Menaquinone 6 plays an essential role as an electron carrier in the bacterial respiratory chain. Only small amounts of menaquinone 6 can be found in human.

Benfotiamine is a derivative of vitamin B1. It was developed in Japan specifically to treat Korsakoff's syndrome and patented in the United States in 1962, but never became popular. It has been in use as a widely used prescription drug in Europe since 1978 to treat diabetes and is available at many vitamin shops in the United States. It has been licensed for use in Germany since 1993 under the trade name Milgamma. (Combinations with pyridoxine or cyanocobalamin are also sold under this name). It is prescribed there for treating sciatica and other painful nerve conditions. It is marketed as a medicine and/or dietary supplement, depending on the respective Regulatory Authority. Unfortunately apparent evidences from human studies are scarce and especially endpoint studies are missing. Benfotiamine has proven to affect glucose metabolic process through various mode of actions, and plays a part in obstructing age-associated glycation end products (AGEs). Benfotiamine reduces the extra biosynthesis and accumulation of a number of glucose metabolites, including glyceraldeyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Elevated levels of those glucose intermediates function as a trigger to most of the mechanisms accountable for hyperglycemia-caused cell damage. Benfotiamine increases tissue amounts of thiamine diphosphate, consequently growing transketolase activity and producing a significant decrease in glucose metabolites and precursors to AGEs. Up to now, two of the most effective AGE inhibitors in living microorganisms would be the Vitamin B1 derivative, benfotiamine and also the Vitamin B6 derivative, pyridoxamine. Additionally, benfotiamine has long been proven to lessen NF-kB activity, therefore restricting the over-production from the harmful superoxide toxin. Excess superoxide production may partly hinder a vital enzyme in glucose metabolic process, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, directing glucose metabolites from glycolysis in to the major glucose-driven signaling paths that cause hyperglycemic damage. Theoretically, overdose with benfotiamine should cause menopausal flashes, bluish skin (because of rapid utilization of oxygen), tingling, and difficulty breathing, but used, this merely has not happened.

β-ionone shown to be a key intermediate in the synthesis of vitamin A. Can be isolated from the volatile oil of Boronia megastigma Nees, Rutaceae or by condensing citral with acetone. From animal experiments it can be concluded that β¬-ionone is absorbed after oral exposure. Metabolism takes place mainly in the liver. ¬ β-Ionone has only low acute toxicity after oral ingestion. The substance naturally occurs as a biogenic volatile organic compound and shows a ubiquitous occurrence in the air due to emissions from plants or surface waters.