Prednisolone is a synthetic adrenocortical steroid drug with predominantly glucocorticoid properties. Some of these properties reproduce the physiological actions of endogenous glucocorticosteroids, but others do not necessarily reflect any of the adrenal hormones’ normal functions; they are seen only after administration of large therapeutic doses of the drug. The pharmacological effects of prednisolone which are due to its glucocorticoid properties include: promotion of gluconeogenesis; increased deposition of glycogen in the liver; inhibition of the utilization of glucose; anti-insulin activity; increased catabolism of protein; increased lipolysis; stimulation of fat synthesis and storage; increased glomerular filtration rate and resulting increase in urinary excretion of urate (creatinine excretion remains unchanged); and increased calcium excretion. Prednisolone is used to treat certain types of allergies, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, and cancers. Some of these conditions include adrenocortical insufficiency, high blood calcium, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, eye inflammation, asthma, and multiple sclerosis.

Osaterone acetate (previously known as TZP-4238), a synthetic steroidal anti-androgen agent. Osaterone acetate is used in veterinary in Europe in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in male dogs. Osaterone acetate inhibits the effects of an excess of male hormone (testosterone) through various mechanisms. It competitively prevents the binding of androgens to their prostatic receptors and blocks the transport of testosterone into the prostate. Osaterone acetate was also investigated in Japan in the treatment of prostate cancer and BPH and, in addition, was studied in postmenopausal osteoporosis in humans. However, these studies were discontinued.

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) also commonly known as 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is a phorbol ester that is commonly used to activate phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C). PMA/ TPA possesses potential antineoplastic effects and was studied in phase II clinical trials together with dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. In addition, PMA/ TPA participated in phase I trial for treating patients with hematologic cancer or bone marrow disorder that has not responded to previous treatment. Nevertheless, both clinical trials were terminated. Besides, PMA/ TPA was studied in patients with solid tumors, which had depressed white blood cell and neutrophil counts because of prior treatment with cytotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. It was shown, that the drug increased the low white blood cell and neutrophil counts toward the normal range.

Phenylacetate is the ester of a phenol and acetic acid. It is a metabolite of anticancer drug phenylbutyrate (PB), natural neurotransmitter phenylethylamine. Naturally, it is an odorant found in strawberries, passion fruit, and black tea. Phenylacetate level in urine was used as a marker for the diagnosis of some forms of unipolar major depressive disorders. Phenylacetate is used as a tool substrate to study esterase activity in the blood of patients in clinical studies of the effect of nutritional supplements on paraoxonase-1 levels.