Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside derived from the purple foxglove flower. In 1785, the English chemist, botanist, and physician Sir William Withering published his findings that Digitalis purpurea could be used to treat cardiac dropsy (congestive heart failure; CHF). Digoxin has been in use for many years, but was not approved by the FDA for treatment of heart failure (HF) until the late 1990s. Another FDA indication for digoxin is atrial fibrillation (AF). Digoxin also has numerous off-label uses, such as in fetal tachycardia, supra-ventricular tachycardia, cor pulmonale, and pulmonary hypertension. Digitoxin inhibits the Na-K-ATPase membrane pump, resulting in an increase in intracellular sodium and calcium concentrations. Increased intracellular concentrations of calcium may promote activation of contractile proteins (e.g., actin, myosin). Digoxin also has Para sympathomimetic properties. By increasing vagal tone in the sinoatrial and atrioventricular (AV) nodes, it slows the heart rate and AV nodal conduction.

Pregnenolone sulfate is an endogenous neurosteroid with excitatory effects in the brain, acting as a potent negative allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, a positive allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor, and activator of transient receptor potential cation channel TRPM1 and TRPM3. In the model of schizophrenia, treatment with pregnenolone sulfate normalized the hyperlocomotion and stereotypic bouts, and rescued the PPI deficits of dopamine transporter knockout mice. Promnesic properties of pregnenolone sulfate were demonstrated in rat models of spatial memory performance.

Desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) is a mineralocorticoid hormone and an analog of desoxycorticosterone. DOCP is a long-acting ester of desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) which is recognized as having the same qualitative effects as the natural mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone. It’s used as Percorten-V for replacement therapy for the mineralocorticoid deficit in dogs with primary adrenocortical insufficiency. Percorten-V is only available in the U.S., Canada, Australia and recently, Denmark. Percorten was originally developed for the treatment of Addison's disease in humans but the demand for it decreased significantly once Florinef was available. Unaware that their product was being prescribed “off-label” for the treatment of canine Addison’s Disease and faced with a decreased demand for Percorten, the manufacturer *almost* discontinued production until the veterinary community rose up and voiced their distress. Field trials were run and the FDA approved the use of Percorten-V (the "v" is for veterinary). DOCP like other adrenocorticoid hormones is thought to act by controlling the rate of synthesis of proteins. It reacts with receptor proteins in the cytoplasm to form a steroid-receptor complex. This complex moves into the nucleus, where it binds to chromatin that result in genetic transcription of cellular DNA to messenger RNA. The steroid hormones appear to induce transcription and synthesis of specific proteins, which produce the physiologic effects seen after administration. The most important effect of DOCP is to increase the rate of renal tubular absorption of sodium. This effect is seen most intensely in the thick portion of the ascending limb of the loop of Henle. It also increases sodium absorption in the proximal convoluted tubule but this effect is less important in sodium retention. Chloride follows the sodium out of the renal tubule. Another important effect of DOCP is enhanced renal excretion of potassium. This effect is driven by the resorption of sodium that pulls potassium from the extracellular fluid into the renal tubules, thus promoting potassium excretion.

HYDROCHLORIC ACID is formed by dissolving hydrogen chloride gas in water. It is a strong corrosive acid that is commonly used as a laboratory reagent. Also, it constitutes the majority of gastric acid, the human digestive fluid. Skin contact with HYDROCHLORIC ACID can cause redness, pain, and severe skin burns. It may cause severe burns to the eye and permanent eye damage.

Phosphorus is a chemical element with symbol P and atomic number 15. Phosphorus is essential for life (compounds containing the phosphate ion) are a component of DNA, RNA, ATP, and phospholipids. Elemental phosphorus exists in many allotropic forms, three major allotropes are white, red and black. Red phosphorus is a component of matchbook strike plates and is used as an ingredient in certain commercial rat and cockroach poisons. Red phosphorus is used in the manufacture of pyrotechnics, safety matches, semiconductors, fertilizers, pesticides, incendiary shells, smoke bombs, and tracer bullets. It is also used in organic synthesis reactions and in the manufacture of phosphoric acid, phosphine, phosphoric anhydride, phosphorus pentachloride, and phosphorus trichloride. Red phosphorus is also used in electroluminescent coatings and in flame retardants for polymers.

Direct reduced iron is an alternative iron source produced by heating an iron ore. In nature, most of the iron has an oxidized form.

Antimony (Sb) is a toxic metalloid that occurs widely at trace concentrations in soil, aquatic systems, and the atmosphere. Antimony is not an abundant element but is found in small quantities in over 100 mineral species. It is most often found as antimony(III) sulfide. Antimony is used in the electronics industry to make some semiconductor devices, such as infrared detectors and diodes. It is alloyed with lead or other metals to improve their hardness and strength. A lead-antimony alloy is used in batteries. Other uses of antimony alloys include type metal (in printing presses), bullets and cable sheathing. Antimony has been in medical use against microbes and parasites as well. Antimony-based drugs have been prescribed against leishmaniasis since the parasitic transmission of the tropical disease was understood in the beginning of the 20th century. As a therapeutic, antimony has been mostly used for the treatment of leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis. The major toxic side-effects of antimonials as a result of therapy are cardiotoxicity (~9% of patients) and pancreatitis, which is seen commonly in HIV and visceral leishmaniasis co-infections.

Lead(II) acetate is a white crystalline chemical compound with a sweetish taste. Lead(II) acetate is used as a mordant in textile printing and dyeing, as a drier in paints and varnishes, and in preparing other lead compounds. It was historically used as a sweetener and for cosmetics.