Depression

Shikonin is a major component of a Chinese herbal medicine named zicao. Shikonin is a potent TMEM16A chloride channel inhibitor with an IC₅₀ of 6.5 μM. Shikonin is a specific pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) inhibitor and can also inhibit TNF-α and NF-κB pathway. Shikonin decreases exosome secretion through the inhibition of glycolysis. Shikonin inhibits AIM2 inflammasome activation.

Uridine (β-Uridine) is a nucleoside compound composed of uracil and a ribose ring, which are connected by a β-N1-glycosidic bond.

JNK-IN-8 (JNK Inhibitor XVI) is a potent JNK inhibitor with IC₅₀s of 4.7 nM, 18.7 nM, and 1 nM for JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3, respectively.

Pioglitazone (U 72107) is an orally active and selective PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) agonist with high affinity binding to the PPARγ ligand-binding domain with EC₅₀ of 0.93 and 0.99 μM for human and mouse PPARγ, respectively. Pioglitazone can be used in diabetes research.

Doramapimod (BIRB 796) is an orally active, highly potent p38 MAPK inhibitor, which has an IC₅₀ for p38α=38 nM, for p38β=65 nM, for p38γ=200 nM, and for p38δ=520 nM. Doramapimod has picomolar affinity for p38 kinase (K_d=0.1 nM). Doramapimod also inhibits B-Raf with an IC₅₀ of 83 nM.

Propranolol hydrochloride is a nonselective and BBB-permeableβ-adrenergic receptor (βAR) antagonist, has high affinity for the β1AR and β2AR with K_i values of 1.8 nM and 0.8 nM, respectively. Propranolol hydrochloride inhibits [³H]-DHA binding to rat brain membrane preparation with an IC₅₀ of 12 nM. Propranolol hydrochloride is used for study of hypertension, pheochromocytoma, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Sulfasalazine (NSC 667219) is an anti-rheumatic agent for the research of rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Sulfasalazine can suppress NF-κB activity. Sulfasalazine is a type 1 ferroptosis inducer.

β-Aminopropionitrile (BAPN) is a specific, irreversible and orally active lysyl oxidase (LOX) inhibitor. β-Aminopropionitrile targets the active site of LOX or LOXL isoenzymes. β-Aminopropionitrile can be used for the study of obesity.

γ-Aminobutyric acid (4-Aminobutyric acid) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult mammalian brain, binding to the ionotropic GABA receptors (GABA_A receptors) and metabotropic receptors (GABA_B receptors. γ-Aminobutyric acid shows calming effect by blocking specific signals of central nervous system.

D-Mannitol (Mannitol) is an oral, resistant sugar widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries to promote the absorption and retention of calcium and magnesium through cecal fermentation, while acting as a osmotic diuretic to reduce tissue edema. D-Mannitol can enhance brown fat formation, improve insulin effect, reduce blood sugar levels, And through the start the β₃-adrenergic receptor (β₃-AR), PGC1α and PKA induced by means of white fat cells into brown fat cells. D-Mannitol is commonly used to maintain osmotic pressure between the plant cytoplasm and the culture medium and protect cells when the cell wall is weakened or even removed.

Dihydroartemisinin is an orally active metabolite of rtemisinin (HY-B0094) and antimalarial agent. Dihydroartemisinin induces Autophagy by inhibiting NF-κB activation. Dihydroartemisinin promotes ROS accumulation. Dihydroartemisinin exhibits anticancer activity in esophageal cancer cells. Dihydroartemisinin shows schistosomicidal activity against juvenile and adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum, reduces worm burden, and displays antiparasitic activity. Dihydroartemisinin can be used in research related to multiple myeloma, promyelocytic leukemia, esophageal cancer, and Schistosoma japonicum infection.

Astragaloside IV, an active component isolated from Astragalus membranaceus, suppresses the activation of ERK1/2 and JNK, and downregulates matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2, (MMP)-9 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Rolipram is a PDE4 inhibitor, with blood-brain barrier permeability, that reverses β-amyloid-induced learning and memory impairment in rats. Rolipram elevates intracellular cAMP and clevels and regulates the cAMP/CREB signaling pathway, thereby alleviating neuroinflammation and apoptotic responses. Rolipram promotes neuronal differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and inhibits Methamphetamine- and morphine-induced hyperlocomotion in mice. Rolipram also reduces the viability of glioblastoma stem-like cells and enhances Bevacizumab (HY-P9906)-induced cell death. Rolipram inhibits the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and enhances central noradrenergic transmission. Rolipram is mainly used in studies related to various central nervous system diseases including Alzheimer's disease, major depressive disorder, glioblastoma multiforme, and multiple sclerosis.

Fisetin is a natural flavonol found in many fruits and vegetables with various benefits, such as antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotection effects.

(R)-(-)-Phenylephrine is a selective α₁-adrenoceptor agonist primarily used as a decongestant.

Troglitazone is an orally active PPARγ agonist, with EC₅₀s of 550 nM and 780 nM for human and murine PPARγ receptor, respectively. Troglitazone has anticancer activity, prevents and inhibits the development of type 2 diabetes.

Zenidolol (ICI-118551) hydrochloride is a highly selective β2 adrenergic receptor antagonist, with K_is of 0.7, 49.5 and 611 nM for β2, β1 and β3 receptors, respectively.

TBHQ (tert-Butylhydroquinone) is a widely used Nrf2 activator, protects against Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity through activation of Nrf2. TBHQ (tert-Butylhydroquinone) is also an ERK activator; rescues Dehydrocorydaline (DHC)-induced cell proliferation inhibitionin melanoma.

Dizocilpine maleate (MK-801 maleate) is a potent, selective and non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist with K_d of 37.2 nM in rat brain membranes.

Ergothioneine is an imidazole-2-thione derivative with orally active histidine betaine. Ergothioneine is a specific inhibitor of p38-MAPK and Akt, which plays a protective role in cell apoptosis induced by stress. Ergothioneine has antioxidant activity.