Auranofin (brand name Ridaura) is an organogold compound classified by the World Health Organization as an antirheumatic agent. Ridaura is indicated in the management of adults with active classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis (ARA criteria) who have had an insufficient therapeutic response to, or are intolerant of, an adequate trial of full doses of one or more nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The mechanism of action of is not understood. In patients with adult rheumatoid arthritis, it may modify disease activity as manifested by synovitis and associated symptoms, and reflected by laboratory parameters such as ESR. There is no substantial evidence, however, that gold-containing compounds induce remission of rheumatoid arthritis. It may act as an inhibitor of kappab kinase and thioredoxin reductase, which would lead to a decreased immune response and decreased free radical production, respectively. In patients with inflammatory arthritis, such as adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, gold salts can decrease the inflammation of the joint lining. This effect can prevent destruction of bone and cartilage. Ridaura should be added to a comprehensive baseline program, including non-drug therapies. Unlike anti-inflammatory drugs, RIDAURA does not produce an immediate response. Therapeutic effects may be seen after three to four months of treatment, although improvement has not been seen in some patients before six months.

Penicillamine, sold under the trade names of Cuprimine among others, is a medication primarily used for treatment of Wilson's disease, cystinuria and active rheumatoid arthritis. Penicillamine is a chelating agent recommended for the removal of excess copper in patients with Wilson's disease. From in vitro studies which indicate that one atom of copper combines with two molecules of penicillamine. Penicillamine also reduces excess cystine excretion in cystinuria. This is done, at least in part, by disulfide interchange between penicillamine and cystine, resulting in formation of penicillamine-cysteine disulfide, a substance that is much more soluble than cystine and is excreted readily. Penicillamine interferes with the formation of cross-links between tropocollagen molecules and cleaves them when newly formed. The mechanism of action of penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis is unknown although it appears to suppress disease activity. Unlike cytotoxic immunosuppressants, penicillamine markedly lowers IgM rheumatoid factor but produces no significant depression in absolute levels of serum immunoglobulins. Also unlike cytotoxic immunosuppressants which act on both, penicillamine in vitro depresses T-cell activity but not B-cell activity.

Aurothioglucose (trade name Solganal), also known as gold thioglucose, is a glucose derivative formerly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, that cannot be adequately controlled by other medicines. Aurothioglucose has been shown to inhibit protein kinase C, a metalloenzyme containing Zn(2+) bound to cysteine and histidine residues, which plays a crucial role in intracellular signal transduction by phosphorylating serine/threonine residues in the protein. The inhibition of protein kinase C has been suggested as a possible mode of action for the therapeutic antirheumatic action of gold drugs. In 2001, aurothioglucose was withdrawn from the Dutch market, where it had been the only injectable gold preparation available since 1943, forcing hospitals to change medication for a large number of patients to aurothiomalate. The drug had been in use for more than 70 years, and four years later the reasons for its sudden disappearance remained unclear.

3-hydroxy-2-phenylcinchoninic acid (also known as oxycinchophen or earlier as HPC) was known as antidiuretic and has been specially found useful in cases of diabetes insipidus. Clinical studies of HPC revealed that this compound reduces water output in cases of diabetes insipidus, and this was reached not by direct action on the water reabsorbing element in the tubules of the kidney, but rather by the mediation of HPC on the pituitary system in the production of the antidiuretic hormone therein. The effect of HPC upon fever and arthritis on patients with rheumatic fever was dramatic. In addition, HPC cannot be considered as an antipyretic, but rather HPC should be considered as enhancing ins some way the output or activity of adrenal cortical hormones. HPC was shown rather toxic (toxic reaction were presented in 20 % of tested patients). That is why the development of this drug was stopped and is become study its derivatives.

Bucillamine [SA96:N-(2-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl)-L-cysteine] is a synthetic SH compound and an antirheumatic agent developed from tiopronin. It is mainly used in Japan and Korea. Activity is mediated by the two thiol groups that the molecule contains. Research done in the USA showed positive transplant preservation properties. Bucillamine has the potential to attenuate or prevent damage during myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery and organ transplantation. Bucillamine is a more potent thiol donor than other cysteine derivatives: approximately 16-fold more potent than N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst(R)) in vivo. In addition bucillamine appears to have additional anti-inflammatory effects unrelated to its antioxidant effect. Oral bucillamine is used clinically in Asia for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. There is a strong preclinical evidence that parenteral infusion of this agent is efficacious in acute settings characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress. In Phase I human trials healthy volunteers received bucillamine at doses up to 25 mg/kg/h i.v. for 3 h and elicited no serious toxicity. On the basis of pharmacokinetic analyses of blood levels during these studies, it was concluded that bucillamine infused at i.v. doses > or =10 mg/kg/h for 3 h to humans could be expected to be therapeutically effective in myocardial infarction, organ transplantation and other acute inflammatory syndromes. Bucillamine exhibits potent antioxidant activity similar to those of trolox and ascorbic acid. It reduces the stable free radical diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Bucillamine is a potent antioxidant which exerts its beneficial therapeutic activities in RA patients by metal chelation rather than by scavenging free radical species.

Gold monoiodide (AuI; Aurum iodatum) is a chemical compound of gold and iodine. This compound can be synthesized by heating gold and iodine in a sealed tube at 120°C for about four months. It decomposes when treated with hot water, but its related complexes are much more stable. It’s used like unapproved homeopathic product for treatment of Senile Paresis. This product is to be used for self-limiting conditions. If symptoms do not improve in 4 days, or worsen, discontinue use and seek assistance of health professional

Aurotioprol acid is a gold salt. It was used as an antirheumatic agent and marketed by Solvay under tradename Allochrysine. Aurotioprol was administered by intramuscular injections.

Gold monoiodide (AuI; Aurum iodatum) is a chemical compound of gold and iodine. This compound can be synthesized by heating gold and iodine in a sealed tube at 120°C for about four months. It decomposes when treated with hot water, but its related complexes are much more stable. It’s used like unapproved homeopathic product for treatment of Senile Paresis. This product is to be used for self-limiting conditions. If symptoms do not improve in 4 days, or worsen, discontinue use and seek assistance of health professional