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Lü Z, Dai X, Xu J, Liu Z, Guo Y, Gao Z, Meng F. Medicinal chemistry strategies toward broad-spectrum antiviral agents to prevent next pandemics. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116442. [PMID: 38685143 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The pandemic and tremendous impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 alert us, despite great achievements in prevention and control of infectious diseases, we still lack universal and powerful antiviral strategies to rapidly respond to the potential threat of serious infectious disease. Various highly contagious and pathogenic viruses, as well as other unknown viruses may appear or reappear in human society at any time, causing a catastrophic epidemic. Developing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs with high security and efficiency is of great significance for timely meeting public health emergency and protecting the lives and health of the people. Hence, in this review, we summarized diverse broad-spectrum antiviral targets and corresponding agents from a medicinal chemistry prospective, compared the pharmacological advantages and disadvantages of different targets, listed representative agents, showed their structures, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics characteristics, and conducted a critical discussion on their development potential, in the hope of providing up-to-date guidance for the development of broad-spectrum antivirals and perspectives for applications of antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirui Lü
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Xiandong Dai
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Jianjie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Zhenming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongbiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Zhenhua Gao
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Fanhua Meng
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China.
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2
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Taghizadeh MS, Niazi A, Afsharifar A. Virus-like particles (VLPs): A promising platform for combating against Newcastle disease virus. Vaccine X 2024; 16:100440. [PMID: 38283623 PMCID: PMC10811427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2024.100440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The global poultry industry plays a pivotal role in providing eggs and meat for human consumption. However, outbreaks of viral disease, especially Newcastle virus disease (NDV), within poultry farms have detrimental effects on various zootechnical parameters, such as body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, as well as the quality of egg and meat production. Cases of vaccine failure have been reported in regions where highly pathogenic strains of NDV are prevalent. To tackle this challenge, virus-like particles (VLPs) have emerged as a potential solution. VLPs closely resemble natural viruses, offering biocompatibility and immune-stimulating properties that make them highly promising for therapeutic applications against NDV. Hence, this review emphasizes the significance of NDV and the need for effective treatments. The manuscript will contain several key aspects, starting with an exploration of the structure and properties of NDV. Subsequently, the paper will delve into the characteristics and benefits of VLPs compared to conventional drug delivery systems. A comprehensive analysis of VLPs as potential vaccine candidates targeting NDV will be presented, along with a discussion on strategies for loading cargo into these NDV-targeting VLPs. The review will also examine various expression systems utilized in the production of NDV-targeting VLPs. Additionally, the manuscript will address future prospects and challenges in the field, concluding with recommendations for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali Niazi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Afsharifar
- Plant Virus Research Center, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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3
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Lewis MA, Cortés-Penfield NW, Ettayebi K, Patil K, Kaur G, Neill FH, Atmar RL, Ramani S, Estes MK. Standardization of an antiviral pipeline for human norovirus in human intestinal enteroids demonstrates nitazoxanide has no to weak antiviral activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0063623. [PMID: 37787556 PMCID: PMC10583671 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00636-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis. In immunocompetent hosts, symptoms usually resolve within 3 days; however, in immunocompromised persons, HuNoV infection can become persistent, debilitating, and sometimes life-threatening. There are no licensed therapeutics for HuNoV due to a near half-century delay in its cultivation. Treatment for chronic HuNoV infection in immunosuppressed patients anecdotally includes nitazoxanide, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial licensed for treatment of parasite-induced gastroenteritis. Despite its off-label use for chronic HuNoV infection, nitazoxanide has not been clearly demonstrated to be an effective treatment. In this study, we standardized a pipeline for antiviral testing using multiple human small intestinal enteroid lines representing different intestinal segments and evaluated whether nitazoxanide inhibits replication of five HuNoV strains in vitro. Nitazoxanide did not exhibit high selective antiviral activity against any HuNoV strain tested, indicating it is not an effective antiviral for HuNoV infection. Human intestinal enteroids are further demonstrated as a model to serve as a preclinical platform to test antivirals against HuNoVs to treat gastrointestinal disease. Abstr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda A. Lewis
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nicolás W. Cortés-Penfield
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Khalil Ettayebi
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ketki Patil
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gurpreet Kaur
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Frederick H. Neill
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert L. Atmar
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sasirekha Ramani
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mary K. Estes
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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4
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Piacentini S, Riccio A, Santopolo S, Pauciullo S, La Frazia S, Rossi A, Rossignol JF, Santoro MG. The FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide is a potent inhibitor of human seasonal coronaviruses acting at postentry level: effect on the viral spike glycoprotein. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1206951. [PMID: 37705731 PMCID: PMC10497118 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1206951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviridae is recognized as one of the most rapidly evolving virus family as a consequence of the high genomic nucleotide substitution rates and recombination. The family comprises a large number of enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, causing an array of diseases of varying severity in animals and humans. To date, seven human coronaviruses (HCoV) have been identified, namely HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1, which are globally circulating in the human population (seasonal HCoV, sHCoV), and the highly pathogenic SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Seasonal HCoV are estimated to contribute to 15-30% of common cold cases in humans; although diseases are generally self-limiting, sHCoV can sometimes cause severe lower respiratory infections and life-threatening diseases in a subset of patients. No specific treatment is presently available for sHCoV infections. Herein we show that the anti-infective drug nitazoxanide has a potent antiviral activity against three human endemic coronaviruses, the Alpha-coronaviruses HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63, and the Beta-coronavirus HCoV-OC43 in cell culture with IC50 ranging between 0.05 and 0.15 μg/mL and high selectivity indexes. We found that nitazoxanide does not affect HCoV adsorption, entry or uncoating, but acts at postentry level and interferes with the spike glycoprotein maturation, hampering its terminal glycosylation at an endoglycosidase H-sensitive stage. Altogether the results indicate that nitazoxanide, due to its broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity, may represent a readily available useful tool in the treatment of seasonal coronavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Piacentini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Riccio
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Santopolo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pauciullo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone La Frazia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Rossi
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy
| | | | - M. Gabriella Santoro
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy
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5
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Xu J, Xue Y, Bolinger AA, Li J, Zhou M, Chen H, Li H, Zhou J. Therapeutic potential of salicylamide derivatives for combating viral infections. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:897-931. [PMID: 36905090 PMCID: PMC10247541 DOI: 10.1002/med.21940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Since time immemorial human beings have constantly been fighting against viral infections. The ongoing and devastating coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic represents one of the most severe and most significant public health emergencies in human history, highlighting an urgent need to develop broad-spectrum antiviral agents. Salicylamide (2-hydroxybenzamide) derivatives, represented by niclosamide and nitazoxanide, inhibit the replication of a broad range of RNA and DNA viruses such as flavivirus, influenza A virus, and coronavirus. Moreover, nitazoxanide was effective in clinical trials against different viral infections including diarrhea caused by rotavirus and norovirus, uncomplicated influenza A and B, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. In this review, we summarize the broad antiviral activities of salicylamide derivatives, the clinical progress, and the potential targets or mechanisms against different viral infections and highlight their therapeutic potential in combating the circulating and emerging viral infections in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Xu
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Yu Xue
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Andrew A. Bolinger
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Jun Li
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Mingxiang Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Haiying Chen
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Hongmin Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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Dechtman ID, Ankory R, Sokolinsky K, Krasner E, Weiss L, Gal Y. Clinically Evaluated COVID-19 Drugs with Therapeutic Potential for Biological Warfare Agents. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1577. [PMID: 37375079 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak resulted in hundreds of millions of coronavirus cases, as well as millions of deaths worldwide. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease resulting from exposure to this pathogen, is characterized, among other features, by a pulmonary pathology, which can progress to "cytokine storm", acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory failure and death. Vaccines are the unsurpassed strategy for prevention and protection against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, there is still an extremely high number of severely ill people from at-risk populations. This may be attributed to waning immune response, variant-induced breakthrough infections, unvaccinated population, etc. It is therefore of high importance to utilize pharmacological-based treatments, despite the progression of the global vaccination campaign. Until the approval of Paxlovid, an efficient and highly selective anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug, and the broad-spectrum antiviral agent Lagevrio, many pharmacological-based countermeasures were, and still are, being evaluated in clinical trials. Some of these are host-directed therapies (HDTs), which modulate the endogenic response against the virus, and therefore may confer efficient protection against a wide array of pathogens. These could potentially include Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs), exposure to which may lead to mass casualties due to disease severity and a possible lack of efficient treatment. In this review, we assessed the recent literature on drugs under advanced clinical evaluation for COVID-19 with broad spectrum activity, including antiviral agents and HDTs, which may be relevant for future coping with BWAs, as well as with other agents, in particular respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido-David Dechtman
- Pulmonology Department, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, 62 Halochamim Street, Holon 5822012, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ran Ankory
- The Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Military Post 02149, Israel
| | - Keren Sokolinsky
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel Aviv 61909, Israel
| | - Esther Krasner
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel Aviv 61909, Israel
| | - Libby Weiss
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel Aviv 61909, Israel
| | - Yoav Gal
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel Aviv 61909, Israel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel
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7
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Lewis MA, Cortés-Penfield NW, Ettayebi K, Patil K, Kaur G, Neill FH, Atmar RL, Ramani S, Estes MK. A Standardized Antiviral Pipeline for Human Norovirus in Human Intestinal Enteroids Demonstrates No Antiviral Activity of Nitazoxanide. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.542011. [PMID: 37293103 PMCID: PMC10245936 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.542011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis. In immunocompetent hosts, symptoms usually resolve within three days; however, in immunocompromised persons, HuNoV infection can become persistent, debilitating, and sometimes life-threatening. There are no licensed therapeutics for HuNoV due to a near half-century delay in its cultivation. Treatment for chronic HuNoV infection in immunosuppressed patients anecdotally includes nitazoxanide, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial licensed for treatment of parasite-induced gastroenteritis. Despite its off-label use for chronic HuNoV infection, nitazoxanide has not been clearly demonstrated to be an effective treatment. In this study, we established a standardized pipeline for antiviral testing using multiple human small intestinal enteroid (HIE) lines representing different intestinal segments and evaluated whether nitazoxanide inhibits replication of 5 HuNoV strains in vitro . Nitazoxanide did not exhibit high selective antiviral activity against any HuNoV strains tested, indicating it is not an effective antiviral for norovirus infection. HIEs are further demonstrated as a model to serve as a pre-clinical platform to test antivirals against human noroviruses to treat gastrointestinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda A. Lewis
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | | | - Khalil Ettayebi
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Ketki Patil
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Gurpreet Kaur
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Frederick H. Neill
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Robert L. Atmar
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Sasirekha Ramani
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Mary K. Estes
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
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8
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Yang B, Yan Y, Wang D, Zhang Y, Yin J, Zhu G. On-target inhibition of Cryptosporidium parvum by nitazoxanide (NTZ) and paclitaxel (PTX) validated using a novel MDR1-transgenic host cell model and algorithms to quantify the effect on the parasite target. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011217. [PMID: 36972284 PMCID: PMC10079235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is a globally distributed zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes moderate to severe, sometime deadly, watery diarrhea in humans and animals, for which fully effective treatments are yet unavailable. In studying the mechanism of action of drugs against intracellular pathogens, it is important to validate whether the observed anti-infective activity is attributed to the drug action on the pathogen or host target. For the epicellular parasite Cryptosporidium, we have previously developed a concept that the host cells with significantly increased drug tolerance by transient overexpression of the multidrug resistance protein-1 (MDR1) could be utilized to evaluate whether and how much the observed anti-cryptosporidial activity of an inhibitor was attributed to the inhibitor’s action on the parasite target. However, the transient transfection model was only applicable to evaluating native MDR1 substrates. Here we report an advanced model using stable MDR1-transgenic HCT-8 cells that allows rapid development of novel resistance to non-MDR1 substrates by multiple rounds of drug selection. Using the new model, we successfully validated that nitazoxanide, a non-MDR1 substrate and the only FDA-approved drug to treat human cryptosporidiosis, killed C. parvum by fully (100%) acting on the parasite target. We also confirmed that paclitaxel acted fully on the parasite target, while several other inhibitors including mitoxantrone, doxorubicin, vincristine and ivermectin acted partially on the parasite targets. Additionally, we developed mathematical models to quantify the proportional contribution of the on-parasite-target effect to the observed anti-cryptosporidial activity and to evaluate the relationships between several in vitro parameters, including antiparasitic efficacy (ECi), cytotoxicity (TCi), selectivity index (SI) and Hill slope (h). Owning to the promiscuity of the MDR1 efflux pump, the MDR1-transgenic host cell model could be applied to assess the on-parasite-target effects of newly identified hits/leads, either substrates or non-substrates of MDR1, against Cryptosporidium or other epicellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Zoonosis, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yueyang Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Zoonosis, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dongqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Zoonosis, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Zoonosis, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jigang Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Zoonosis, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Zoonosis, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- * E-mail:
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9
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Tizoxanide Antiviral Activity on Dengue Virus Replication. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030696. [PMID: 36992406 PMCID: PMC10055917 DOI: 10.3390/v15030696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus is an important circulating arbovirus in Brazil responsible for high morbidity and mortality worldwide, representing a huge economic and social burden, in addition to affecting public health. In this study, the biological activity, toxicity, and antiviral activity against dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) of tizoxanide (TIZ) was evaluated in Vero cell culture. TIZ has a broad spectrum of action in inhibiting different pathogens, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Cells were infected for 1 h with DENV-2 and then treated for 24 h with different concentrations of the drug. The quantification of viral production indicated the antiviral activity of TIZ. The protein profiles in infected Vero cells treated and not treated with TIZ were analyzed using the label-free quantitative proteomic approach. TIZ was able to inhibit virus replication mainly intracellularly after DENV-2 penetration and before the complete replication of the viral genome. Additionally, the study of the protein profile of infected not-treated and infected-treated Vero cells showed that TIZ interferes with cellular processes such as intracellular trafficking and vesicle-mediated transport and post-translational modifications when added after infection. Our results also point to the activation of immune response genes that would eventually lead to a decrease of DENV-2 production. TIZ is a promising therapeutic molecule for the treatment of DENV-2 infections.
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10
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Sukanya R, Mohandoss S, Lee YR. Synthesis of active-site rich molybdenum-doped manganese tungstate nanocubes for effective electrochemical sensing of the antiviral drug (COVID-19) nitazoxanide. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 311:137005. [PMID: 36347350 PMCID: PMC9636157 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nitazoxanide (NTZ), a promising antiviral agent, is currently being tested in clinical trials as a potential treatment for novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID -19). This paper describes a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis to prepare molybdenum (Mo)-doped manganese tungstate nanocubes (Mo-MnWO4 NCs) for the electrochemical sensing of NTZ. The as-prepared Mo-MnWO4 NCs were characterized using various techniques such as XRD, Raman, FE-SEM, FE-TEM, and XPS to confirm the crystal structure, morphology, and elemental composition. The obtained results demonstrate that Mo doping on MnWO4 generates many vacancy sites, exhibiting remarkable electrochemical activity. The kinetic parameters of the electrode modified with Mo-MnWO4 NCs were calculated to be (Ks) 1.1 × 10-2 cm2 s-1 and (α) 0.97, respectively. Moreover, a novel electrochemical sensor using Mo-MnWO4 NCs was fabricated to detect NTZ, which is used as a primary antibiotic to control COVID-19. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical reduction of NTZ was determined with a low detection limit of 3.7 nM for a linear range of 0.014-170.2 μM with a high sensitivity of 0.78 μA μM-1 cm-2 and negligible interference with other nitro group-containing drugs, cations, and anions. The electrochemical sensor was successfully used to detect NTZ in the blood serum and urine samples and achieved high recoveries in the range of 94-99.2% and 95.3-99.6%, respectively. This work opens a way to develop high-performance sensing materials by exploring the introduction of defect engineering on metal tungstates to detect drug molecules for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramaraj Sukanya
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Sonaimuthu Mohandoss
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Rok Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea.
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Sharfalddin AA, Inas Muta'eb Alyounis E, Emwas AH, Jaremko M. Biological efficacy of novel metal complexes of Nitazoxanide: Synthesis, characterization, anti-COVID-19, antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activity studies. J Mol Liq 2022; 368:120808. [PMID: 36411838 PMCID: PMC9670593 DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
It has been repeatedly reported that nitazoxanide (NTZ) exhibits a wide range of antiviral activities against various viral infections and has shown antimicrobial properties against anaerobic bacteria, helminths and protozoa. To improve these properties, three novel metal complexes were synthesized. The bidentate characteristic of the NTZ ligand was characterized by different spectroscopic techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and UV - visible spectroscopy. The geometries of the formed compounds were evaluated by density functional theory, and the results revealed that NTZ-Ru(III) has an octahedral geometry, while NTZ-Au(III) and NTZ-Ag(I) complexes have distorted square planar structures. Binding between the metal complexes and calf thymus DNA (Ct-DNA) has been studied via absorption spectra. Moreover, human albumen serum (HAS) titration has been carried out to test their susceptibility to interact with a major target molecule via absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. Several in vitro bioassays were performed to evaluate the biological activity, antibacterial potency against E. coli, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the ligand and the obtained complexes. The results showed that complexes Ru(III) and Au(III) have the highest radical scavenging percentage while the Ag(I) demonstrated the greatest antibacterial activity. Moreover, the metal complexes presented potentially effective against E. coli. Furthermore, compared with NTZ-Ag and the free ligand, the in vitro cytotoxicity assay showed that both NTZ-Ru(III) and NTZ-Au(III) exhibited significant anticancer activity against HeLa cells. The efficiency of the novel compounds as antivirals was tested by molecular docking with two COVID-19 receptors to obtain all interaction details.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer A Sharfalddin
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Abdul-Hamid Emwas
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Smart-Health Initiative (SHI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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12
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Efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 78:1813-1821. [PMID: 36066651 PMCID: PMC9446612 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-022-03380-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Nitazoxanide is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic that has been tested for COVID-19 due to its anti-inflammatory effects and in vitro antiviral activity. This study synthesized the best evidence on the efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in COVID-19. Methods Searches for studies were performed in peer-reviewed and grey-literature from January 1, 2020 to May 23, 2022. The following elements were used to define eligibility criteria: (1) Population: individuals with COVID-19; (2) Intervention: nitazoxanide; (3) Comparison: placebo; (4) Outcomes: primary outcome was death, and secondary outcomes were viral load, positive RT-PCR status, serum biomarkers of inflammation, composite measure of disease progression (ICU admission or invasive mechanical ventilation), and any adverse events; (5) Study type: blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Treatment effects were reported as relative risk (RR) for dichotomous variables and standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Five blinded, placebo-controlled RCTs were included and enrolled individuals with mild or moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found no difference between nitazoxanide and placebo in reducing viral load (SMD = − 0.16; 95% CI − 0.38 to 0.05) and the frequency of positive RTP-PCR results (RR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.81 to 1.06). In addition, there was no decreased risk for disease progression (RR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.38 to 1.04) and death (RR = 0.81; 95% CI 0.36 to 1.78) among patients receiving nitazoxanide. Patients with COVID-19 treated with nitazoxanide had decreased levels of white blood cells (SMD = − 0.15; 95% − 0.29 to − 0.02), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (SMD − 0.32; 95% − 0.52 to − 0.13), and D-dimer (SMD − 0.49; 95% CI − 0.68 to − 0.31) compared to placebo, but the magnitude of effect was considered small to moderate. Conclusion This systematic review showed no evidence of clinical benefits of the use of nitazoxanide to treat patients with mild or moderate COVID-19. In addition, we found a reduction in WBC, LDH, and D-dimer levels among nitazoxanide-treated patients, but the effect size was considered small to moderate. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00228-022-03380-5.
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13
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Driouich JS, Cochin M, Touret F, Petit PR, Gilles M, Moureau G, Barthélémy K, Laprie C, Wattanakul T, Chotsiri P, Hoglund RM, Tarning J, Fraisse L, Sjö P, Mowbray CE, Escudié F, Scandale I, Chatelain E, de Lamballerie X, Solas C, Nougairède A. Pre-clinical evaluation of antiviral activity of nitazoxanide against SARS-CoV-2. EBioMedicine 2022; 82:104148. [PMID: 35834886 PMCID: PMC9271885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To address the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, multiple clinical trials in humans were rapidly started, including those involving an oral treatment by nitazoxanide, despite no or limited pre-clinical evidence of antiviral efficacy. Methods In this work, we present a complete pre-clinical evaluation of the antiviral activity of nitazoxanide against SARS-CoV-2. Findings First, we confirmed the in vitro efficacy of nitazoxanide and tizoxanide (its active metabolite) against SARS-CoV-2. Then, we demonstrated nitazoxanide activity in a reconstructed bronchial human airway epithelium model. In a SARS-CoV-2 virus challenge model in hamsters, oral and intranasal treatment with nitazoxanide failed to impair viral replication in commonly affected organs. We hypothesized that this could be due to insufficient diffusion of the drug into organs of interest. Indeed, our pharmacokinetic study confirmed that concentrations of tizoxanide in organs of interest were always below the in vitro EC50. Interpretation These preclinical results suggest, if directly applicable to humans, that the standard formulation and dosage of nitazoxanide is not effective in providing antiviral therapy for Covid-19. Funding This work was supported by the Fondation de France “call FLASH COVID-19”, project TAMAC, by “Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale” through the REACTing (REsearch and ACTion targeting emerging infectious diseases), by REACTING/ANRS MIE under the agreement No. 21180 (‘Activité des molécules antivirales dans le modèle hamster’), by European Virus Archive Global (EVA 213 GLOBAL) funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 871029 and DNDi under support by the Wellcome Trust Grant ref: 222489/Z/21/Z through the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Sélim Driouich
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France.
| | - Maxime Cochin
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
| | - Franck Touret
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
| | - Paul-Rémi Petit
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
| | - Magali Gilles
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
| | - Grégory Moureau
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
| | - Karine Barthélémy
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
| | | | - Thanaporn Wattanakul
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Palang Chotsiri
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Richard M Hoglund
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joel Tarning
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Laurent Fraisse
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Peter Sjö
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Fanny Escudié
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
| | - Caroline Solas
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France; APHM, Laboratoire de Pharmacocinétique et Toxicologie, Hôpital La Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Antoine Nougairède
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille University -IRD 190-Inserm 1207), Marseille, France
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14
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Bang MS, Kim CM, Kim DM, Yun NR. Effective Drugs Against Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus in an in vitro Model. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:839215. [PMID: 35433715 PMCID: PMC9008449 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.839215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). This syndrome is endemic in China, South Korea, and Japan, with a fatality rate of approximately 20–30%. Although the World Health Organization has listed SFTS as a disease that requires urgent steps for the development of its treatment, no treatments are available. Methods We analyzed the antiviral activity of 41 drugs against the SFTSV to explore potential therapeutic candidates using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and plaque assay in vitro. Results Peramivir, nitazoxanide, and favipiravir were found to have inhibitory effects on the SFTSV at concentrations below the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax). The concentrations that inhibited the SFTSV by 50% were as follows: peramivir, half maximal effective concentration (EC50) 12.9 μg/mL; nitazoxanide, EC50 0.57 μg/mL; and favipiravir, EC50 4.14 μg/mL. Conclusion The effects of peramivir and nitazoxanide on the SFTSV were identified for the first time in this study. Future studies need to include animal models of SFTSV infection, clinical trials including dose-ranging trials, and evaluation of combination therapy with other potential antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Seon Bang
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Choon-Mee Kim
- Premedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Dong-Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Dong-Min Kim,
| | - Na Ra Yun
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
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15
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Advances in therapeutic and vaccine targets for Cryptosporidium: Challenges and possible mitigation strategies. Acta Trop 2022; 226:106273. [PMID: 34906550 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is known to be the second most common diarrheal pathogen in children, causing potentially fatal diarrhea and associated with long-term growth stunting and cognitive deficits. The only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for cryptosporidiosis is nitazoxanide, but this drug has not shown potentially effective results in susceptible hosts. Therefore, a safe and effective drug for cryptosporidiosis is urgently needed. Cryptosporidium genome sequencing analysis may help develop an effective drug, but both in vitro and in vivo approaches to drug evaluation are not fully standardized. On the other hand, the development of partial immunity after exposure suggests the possibility of a successful and effective vaccine, but protective surrogates are not precise. In this review, we present our current perspectives on novel cryptosporidiosis therapies, vaccine targets and efficacies, as well as potential mitigation plans, recommendations and perceived challenges.
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16
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Synthesis and antiplasmodial assessment of nitazoxanide and analogs as new antimalarial candidates. Med Chem Res 2022; 31:426-435. [PMID: 35106047 PMCID: PMC8794615 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-021-02843-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Hemmati-Dinarvand M, Ahmadvand H, Seghatoleslam A. Nitazoxanide and Cancer Drug Resistance: Targeting Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway. Arch Med Res 2021; 53:263-270. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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18
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Smyth R, Sun J. Protein Kinase R in Bacterial Infections: Friend or Foe? Front Immunol 2021; 12:702142. [PMID: 34305942 PMCID: PMC8297547 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.702142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The global antimicrobial resistance crisis poses a significant threat to humankind in the coming decades. Challenges associated with the development of novel antibiotics underscore the urgent need to develop alternative treatment strategies to combat bacterial infections. Host-directed therapy is a promising new therapeutic strategy that aims to boost the host immune response to bacteria rather than target the pathogen itself, thereby circumventing the development of antibiotic resistance. However, host-directed therapy depends on the identification of druggable host targets or proteins with key functions in antibacterial defense. Protein Kinase R (PKR) is a well-characterized human kinase with established roles in cancer, metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, and antiviral defense. However, its role in antibacterial defense has been surprisingly underappreciated. Although the canonical role of PKR is to inhibit protein translation during viral infection, this kinase senses and responds to multiple types of cellular stress by regulating cell-signaling pathways involved in inflammation, cell death, and autophagy – mechanisms that are all critical for a protective host response against bacterial pathogens. Indeed, there is accumulating evidence to demonstrate that PKR contributes significantly to the immune response to a variety of bacterial pathogens. Importantly, there are existing pharmacological modulators of PKR that are well-tolerated in animals, indicating that PKR is a feasible target for host-directed therapy. In this review, we provide an overview of immune cell functions regulated by PKR and summarize the current knowledge on the role and functions of PKR in bacterial infections. We also review the non-canonical activators of PKR and speculate on the potential mechanisms that trigger activation of PKR during bacterial infection. Finally, we provide an overview of existing pharmacological modulators of PKR that could be explored as novel treatment strategies for bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Smyth
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jim Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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19
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Ben-Zuk N, Dechtman ID, Henn I, Weiss L, Afriat A, Krasner E, Gal Y. Potential Prophylactic Treatments for COVID-19. Viruses 2021; 13:1292. [PMID: 34372498 PMCID: PMC8310088 DOI: 10.3390/v13071292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization declared the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern at the end of January 2020 and a pandemic two months later. The virus primarily spreads between humans via respiratory droplets, and is the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which can vary in severity, from asymptomatic or mild disease (the vast majority of the cases) to respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and death. Recently, several vaccines were approved for emergency use against SARS-CoV-2. However, their worldwide availability is acutely limited, and therefore, SARS-CoV-2 is still expected to cause significant morbidity and mortality in the upcoming year. Hence, additional countermeasures are needed, particularly pharmaceutical drugs that are widely accessible, safe, scalable, and affordable. In this comprehensive review, we target the prophylactic arena, focusing on small-molecule candidates. In order to consolidate a potential list of such medications, which were categorized as either antivirals, repurposed drugs, or miscellaneous, a thorough screening for relevant clinical trials was conducted. A brief molecular and/or clinical background is provided for each potential drug, rationalizing its prophylactic use as an antiviral or inflammatory modulator. Drug safety profiles are discussed, and current medical indications and research status regarding their relevance to COVID-19 are shortly reviewed. In the near future, a significant body of information regarding the effectiveness of drugs being clinically studied for COVID-19 is expected to accumulate, in addition to information regarding the efficacy of prophylactic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noam Ben-Zuk
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel-Aviv 61909, Israel; (N.B.-Z.); (I.H.); (L.W.)
| | - Ido-David Dechtman
- The Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Military Post 02149, Israel;
- Pulmonology Department, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, 62 Halochamim Street, Holon 5822012, Israel
| | - Itai Henn
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel-Aviv 61909, Israel; (N.B.-Z.); (I.H.); (L.W.)
| | - Libby Weiss
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel-Aviv 61909, Israel; (N.B.-Z.); (I.H.); (L.W.)
| | - Amichay Afriat
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel;
| | - Esther Krasner
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel-Aviv 61909, Israel; (N.B.-Z.); (I.H.); (L.W.)
| | - Yoav Gal
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel-Aviv 61909, Israel; (N.B.-Z.); (I.H.); (L.W.)
- Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona 76100, Israel
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20
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Diawara EH, François A, Stachulski AV, Razakandrainibe R, Costa D, Favennec L, Rossignol JF, Gargala G. Systemic efficacy on Cryptosporidium parvum infection of aminoxanide (RM-5061), a new amino-acid ester thiazolide prodrug of tizoxanide. Parasitology 2021; 148:975-984. [PMID: 33775260 PMCID: PMC11010128 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal illness with profuse diarrhoea. Although there are no other Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved alternatives for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis, nitazoxanide (NTZ) can be qualified as partially effective. In immunosuppressed conditions, severe and/or disseminated cryptosporidiosis may occur and patients should be treated parenterally. To achieve the goal of developing parenteral treatment for cryptosporidiosis, the current study was undertaken to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anticryptosporidial activity of aminoxanide. This new l-tert-leucyl thiazolide is a soluble prodrug of tizoxanide (TIZ), the main metabolite of NTZ. Confirming the good efficacy of aminoxanide in Cryptosporidium parvum-infected HCT-8 cells with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 1.55 μm (±0.21), in immunosuppressed C. parvum-infected Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), a 5-day treatment with a daily intramuscular dose of 100 mg kg−1 aminoxanide resulted in a 72.5% oocyst excretion inhibition, statistically equivalent to 75.5% in gerbils treated with a 4-fold lower oral dose of NTZ. Cryptosporidium parvum-induced intestinal pathology and inflammation were improved. Aminoxanide provides an injectable form of TIZ that NTZ was unable to do and is a promising drug for which optimization of the formulation should be further explored. These results represent a first promising step towards the goal of developing a parenteral treatment for cryptosporidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- El Hadji Diawara
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Rouen University Hospital and EA7510, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Arnaud François
- Laboratoire d'Anatomo-Pathologie, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Andrew V. Stachulski
- Robert Robinson Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, LiverpoolL69 7ZD, UK
| | - Romy Razakandrainibe
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Rouen University Hospital and EA7510, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Damien Costa
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Rouen University Hospital and EA7510, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Loïc Favennec
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Rouen University Hospital and EA7510, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | | | - Gilles Gargala
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Rouen University Hospital and EA7510, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
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21
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Stachulski AV, Taujanskas J, Pate SL, Rajoli RKR, Aljayyoussi G, Pennington SH, Ward SA, Hong WD, Biagini GA, Owen A, Nixon GL, Leung SC, O’Neill PM. Therapeutic Potential of Nitazoxanide: An Appropriate Choice for Repurposing versus SARS-CoV-2? ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1317-1331. [PMID: 33352056 PMCID: PMC7771247 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The rapidly growing COVID-19 pandemic is the most serious global health crisis since the "Spanish flu" of 1918. There is currently no proven effective drug treatment or prophylaxis for this coronavirus infection. While developing safe and effective vaccines is one of the key focuses, a number of existing antiviral drugs are being evaluated for their potency and efficiency against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in the clinic. Here, we review the significant potential of nitazoxanide (NTZ) as an antiviral agent that can be repurposed as a treatment for COVID-19. Originally, NTZ was developed as an antiparasitic agent especially against Cryptosporidium spp.; it was later shown to possess potent activity against a broad range of both RNA and DNA viruses, including influenza A, hepatitis B and C, and coronaviruses. Recent in vitro assessment of NTZ has confirmed its promising activity against SARS-CoV-2 with an EC50 of 2.12 μM. Here we examine its drug properties, antiviral activity against different viruses, clinical trials outcomes, and mechanisms of antiviral action from the literature in order to highlight the therapeutic potential for the treatment of COVID-19. Furthermore, in preliminary PK/PD analyses using clinical data reported in the literature, comparison of simulated TIZ (active metabolite of NTZ) exposures at two doses with the in vitro potency of NTZ against SARS-CoV-2 gives further support for drug repurposing with potential in combination chemotherapy approaches. The review concludes with details of second generation thiazolides under development that could lead to improved antiviral therapies for future indications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua Taujanskas
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Sophie L. Pate
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Rajith K. R. Rajoli
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology,
Materials Innovation Factory, University of Liverpool,
Liverpool L7 3NY, U.K.
| | - Ghaith Aljayyoussi
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical
Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine,
Liverpool L3 5QA, U.K.
| | - Shaun H. Pennington
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical
Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine,
Liverpool L3 5QA, U.K.
| | - Stephen A. Ward
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical
Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine,
Liverpool L3 5QA, U.K.
| | - Weiqian David Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Giancarlo A. Biagini
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical
Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine,
Liverpool L3 5QA, U.K.
| | - Andrew Owen
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology,
Materials Innovation Factory, University of Liverpool,
Liverpool L7 3NY, U.K.
| | - Gemma L. Nixon
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Suet C. Leung
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Paul M. O’Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of
Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
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22
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Li X, Peng T. Strategy, Progress, and Challenges of Drug Repurposing for Efficient Antiviral Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:660710. [PMID: 34017257 PMCID: PMC8129523 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.660710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging or re-emerging viruses are still major threats to public health. Prophylactic vaccines represent the most effective way to prevent virus infection; however, antivirals are more promising for those viruses against which vaccines are not effective enough or contemporarily unavailable. Because of the slow pace of novel antiviral discovery, the high disuse rates, and the substantial cost, repurposing of the well-characterized therapeutics, either approved or under investigation, is becoming an attractive strategy to identify the new directions to treat virus infections. In this review, we described recent progress in identifying broad-spectrum antivirals through drug repurposing. We defined the two major categories of the repurposed antivirals, direct-acting repurposed antivirals (DARA) and host-targeting repurposed antivirals (HTRA). Under each category, we summarized repurposed antivirals with potential broad-spectrum activity against a variety of viruses and discussed the possible mechanisms of action. Finally, we proposed the potential investigative directions of drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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23
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Xu J, Xue Y, Zhou R, Shi PY, Li H, Zhou J. Drug repurposing approach to combating coronavirus: Potential drugs and drug targets. Med Res Rev 2021; 41:1375-1426. [PMID: 33277927 PMCID: PMC8044022 DOI: 10.1002/med.21763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades, three highly pathogenic human coronaviruses severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and, recently, SARS-CoV-2, have caused pandemics of severe acute respiratory diseases with alarming morbidity and mortality. Due to the lack of specific anti-CoV therapies, the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a great challenge to clinical management and highlights an urgent need for effective interventions. Drug repurposing is a rapid and feasible strategy to identify effective drugs for combating this deadly infection. In this review, we summarize the therapeutic CoV targets, focus on the existing small molecule drugs that have the potential to be repurposed for existing and emerging CoV infections of the future, and discuss the clinical progress of developing small molecule drugs for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Xu
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Yu Xue
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Hongmin Li
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Ashigbie PG, Shepherd S, Steiner KL, Amadi B, Aziz N, Manjunatha UH, Spector JM, Diagana TT, Kelly P. Use-case scenarios for an anti-Cryptosporidium therapeutic. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009057. [PMID: 33705395 PMCID: PMC7951839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a widely distributed enteric parasite that has an increasingly appreciated pathogenic role, particularly in pediatric diarrhea. While cryptosporidiosis has likely affected humanity for millennia, its recent "emergence" is largely the result of discoveries made through major epidemiologic studies in the past decade. There is no vaccine, and the only approved medicine, nitazoxanide, has been shown to have efficacy limitations in several patient groups known to be at elevated risk of disease. In order to help frontline health workers, policymakers, and other stakeholders translate our current understanding of cryptosporidiosis into actionable guidance to address the disease, we sought to assess salient issues relating to clinical management of cryptosporidiosis drawing from a review of the literature and our own field-based practice. This exercise is meant to help inform health system strategies for improving access to current treatments, to highlight recent achievements and outstanding knowledge and clinical practice gaps, and to help guide research activities for new anti-Cryptosporidium therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G. Ashigbie
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, United States of America
| | - Susan Shepherd
- Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Kevin L. Steiner
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Beatrice Amadi
- Children’s Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia
- Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Natasha Aziz
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, United States of America
| | - Ujjini H. Manjunatha
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, United States of America
| | - Jonathan M. Spector
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, United States of America
| | - Thierry T. Diagana
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, United States of America
| | - Paul Kelly
- Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
- Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Liang H, Zhang L, Wang L, Gao M, Meng X, Li M, Liu J, Li W, Meng F. Repositioning Drugs on Human Influenza A Viruses Based on a Novel Nuclear Norm Minimization Method. Front Physiol 2021; 11:597494. [PMID: 33536933 PMCID: PMC7849835 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.597494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza A viruses, especially H3N2 and H1N1 subtypes, are viruses that often spread among humans and cause influenza pandemic. There have been several big influenza pandemics that have caused millions of human deaths in history, and the threat of influenza viruses to public health is still serious nowadays due to the frequent antigenic drift and antigenic shift events. However, only few effective anti-flu drugs have been developed to date. The high development cost, long research and development time, and drug side effects are the major bottlenecks, which could be relieved by drug repositioning. In this study, we proposed a novel antiviral Drug Repositioning method based on minimizing Matrix Nuclear Norm (DRMNN). Specifically, a virus-drug correlation database consisting of 34 viruses and 205 antiviral drugs was first curated from public databases and published literature. Together with drug similarity on chemical structure and virus sequence similarity, we formulated the drug repositioning problem as a low-rank matrix completion problem, which was solved by minimizing the nuclear norm of a matrix with a few regularization terms. DRMNN was compared with three recent association prediction algorithms. The AUC of DRMNN in the global fivefold cross-validation (fivefold CV) is 0.8661, and the AUC in the local leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) is 0.6929. Experiments have shown that DRMNN is better than other algorithms in predicting which drugs are effective against influenza A virus. With H3N2 as an example, 10 drugs most likely to be effective against H3N2 viruses were listed, among which six drugs were reported, in other literature, to have some effect on the viruses. The protein docking experiments between the chemical structure of the prioritized drugs and viral hemagglutinin protein also provided evidence for the potential of the predicted drugs for the treatment of influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Liang
- Pediatric Department of Respiration II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Pediatric Department of Respiration II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Pediatric Department of Respiration II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Man Gao
- Pediatric Department of Respiration II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiangfeng Meng
- Norman Bethune Health Science Center, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mengyao Li
- Norman Bethune Health Science Center, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Junhui Liu
- Pediatric Department of Respiration II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Li
- Pediatric Department of Respiration II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fanzheng Meng
- Pediatric Department of Respiration II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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26
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Bagheri A, Moezzi SMI, Mosaddeghi P, Nadimi Parashkouhi S, Fazel Hoseini SM, Badakhshan F, Negahdaripour M. Interferon-inducer antivirals: Potential candidates to combat COVID-19. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 91:107245. [PMID: 33348292 PMCID: PMC7705326 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infective disease generated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Given the pandemic urgency and lack of an effective cure for this disease, drug repurposing could open the way for finding a solution. Lots of investigations are ongoing to test the compounds already identified as antivirals. On the other hand, induction of type I interferons are found to play an important role in the generation of immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, it was opined that the antivirals capable of triggering the interferons and their signaling pathway, could rationally be beneficial for treating COVID-19. On this basis, using a database of antivirals, called drugvirus, some antiviral agents were derived, followed by searches on their relevance to interferon induction. The examined list included drugs from different categories such as antibiotics, immunosuppressants, anti-cancers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), calcium channel blocker compounds, and some others. The results as briefed here, could help in finding potential drug candidates for COVID-19 treatment. However, their advantages and risks should be taken into account through precise studies, considering a systemic approach. Even though the adverse effects of some of these drugs may overweight their benefits, considering their mechanisms and structures may give a clue for designing novel drugs in the future. Furthermore, the antiviral effect and IFN-modifying mechanisms possessed by some of these drugs might lead to a synergistic effect against SARS-CoV-2, which deserve to be evaluated in further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashkan Bagheri
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Medicine Student Research Group, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Iman Moezzi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Medicine Student Research Group, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Pouria Mosaddeghi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Medicine Student Research Group, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sadra Nadimi Parashkouhi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Medicine Student Research Group, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mostafa Fazel Hoseini
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Medicine Student Research Group, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Badakhshan
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Medicine Student Research Group, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Manica Negahdaripour
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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27
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de Almeida SMV, Santos Soares JC, Dos Santos KL, Alves JEF, Ribeiro AG, Jacob ÍTT, da Silva Ferreira CJ, Dos Santos JC, de Oliveira JF, de Carvalho Junior LB, de Lima MDCA. COVID-19 therapy: What weapons do we bring into battle? Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115757. [PMID: 32992245 PMCID: PMC7481143 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Urgent treatments, in any modality, to fight SARS-CoV-2 infections are desired by society in general, by health professionals, by Estate-leaders and, mainly, by the scientific community, because one thing is certain amidst the numerous uncertainties regarding COVID-19: knowledge is the means to discover or to produce an effective treatment against this global disease. Scientists from several areas in the world are still committed to this mission, as shown by the accelerated scientific production in the first half of 2020 with over 25,000 published articles related to the new coronavirus. Three great lines of publications related to COVID-19 were identified for building this article: The first refers to knowledge production concerning the virus and pathophysiology of COVID-19; the second regards efforts to produce vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 at a speed without precedent in the history of science; the third comprehends the attempts to find a marketed drug that can be used to treat COVID-19 by drug repurposing. In this review, the drugs that have been repurposed so far are grouped according to their chemical class. Their structures will be presented to provide better understanding of their structural similarities and possible correlations with mechanisms of actions. This can help identifying anti-SARS-CoV-2 promising therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinara Mônica Vitalino de Almeida
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade de Pernambuco, Garanhuns, PE, Brazil; Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - José Cleberson Santos Soares
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Keriolaine Lima Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Amélia Galdino Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Íris Trindade Tenório Jacob
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jamerson Ferreira de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Maria do Carmo Alves de Lima
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
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28
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Yamamoto KA, Blackburn K, Migowski E, Goshe MB, Brown DT, Ferreira DF, Soares MR. Quantitative proteomic analysis of the tizoxanide effect in vero cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14733. [PMID: 32895447 PMCID: PMC7477200 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71634-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitazoxanide (NTZ) is effective against helminths and numerous microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses. In vivo, NTZ is metabolized into Tizoxanide (TIZ), which is the active circulating metabolite. With the emergence of SARS-Cov-2 as a Pandemic agent, NTZ became one of the molecules already approved for human use to engage clinical trials, due to results in vitro showing that NTZ was highly effective against the SARS-Cov-2, agent of COVID-19. There are currently several ongoing clinical trials mainly in the USA and Brazil involving NTZ due not only to the in vitro results, but also for its long-known safety. Here, we study the response of Vero cells to TIZ treatment and unveil possible mechanisms for its antimicrobial effect, using a label-free proteomic approach (LC/MS/MS) analysis to compare the proteomic profile between untreated- and TIZ-treated cells. Fifteen differentially expressed proteins were observed related to various biological processes, including translation, intracellular trafficking, RNA processing and modification, and signal transduction. The broad antimicrobial range of TIZ points towards its overall effect in lowering cell metabolism and RNA processing and modification. The decreased levels of FASN, HNRNPH and HNRNPK with the treatment appear to be important for antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Yamamoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Caixa Postal 68563, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - K Blackburn
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - E Migowski
- Institute of Pediatrics and Puericulture Martagão Gesteira, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M B Goshe
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - D T Brown
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - D F Ferreira
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.,Department of Virology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M R Soares
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Caixa Postal 68563, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-909, Brazil.
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29
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Xu S, Yamamoto N. Anti-infective nitazoxanide disrupts transcription of ribosome biogenesis-related genes in yeast. Genes Genomics 2020; 42:915-926. [PMID: 32524281 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-020-00958-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitazoxanide is a broad-spectrum, anti-parasitic, anti-protozoal, anti-viral drug, whose mechanisms of action have remained elusive. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to provide insight into the mechanisms of action of nitazoxanide and the related eukaryotic host responses by characterizing transcriptome profiles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exposed to nitazoxanide. METHODS RNA-Seq was used to investigate the transcriptome profiles of three strains of S. cerevisiae with dsRNA virus-like elements, including a strain that hosts M28 encoding the toxic protein K28. From the strain with M28, an additional sub-strain was prepared by excluding M28 using a nitazoxanide treatment. RESULTS Our transcriptome analysis revealed the effects of nitazoxanide on ribosome biogenesis. Many genes related to the UTP A, UTP B, Mpp10-Imp3-Imp4, and Box C/D snoRNP complexes were differentially regulated by nitazoxanide exposure in all of the four tested strains/sub-strains. Examples of the differentially regulated genes included UTP14, UTP4, NOP4, UTP21, UTP6, and IMP3. The comparison between the M28-laden and non-M28-laden sub-strains showed that the mitotic cell cycle was more significantly affected by nitazoxanide exposure in the non-M28-laden sub-strain. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our study reveals that nitazoxanide disrupts regulation of ribosome biogenesis-related genes in yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Xu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Naomichi Yamamoto
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
- Institute of Health and Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
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30
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Antony F, Vashi Y, Morla S, Vandna, Mohan H, Kumar S. Therapeutic potential of Nitazoxanide against Newcastle disease virus: A possible modulation of host cytokines. Cytokine 2020; 131:155115. [PMID: 32403005 PMCID: PMC7196422 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Newcastle disease (ND) is prevalent among the domesticated and the wild birds and is caused by the avian paramyxovirus serotype-I (APMV-I). It is commonly known to affect chicken, pheasant, ostrich, pigeon and waterfowl. Depending on the virulence, the velogenic NDV strains cause severe respiratory and nervous disorders with a high mortality rate. The live and killed vaccines are available for the prevention of infection in the market, but the drug for the treatment is not available. Nitazoxanide (NTZ), a member of thiazolides, is an antiparasitic drug. In the present study, the effect of NTZ on the NDV replication was explored. The experiments were conducted in chicken fibroblast cells (DF-1), PBMC, embryonated chicken eggs, and two-week old chickens. The inhibition of the NDV was observed upon post-treatment of NTZ at a concentration of ~12.5 μM. Cytokine profiling of the DF-1, PBMC, and chicken embryonic tissue treated with NTZ revealed significant upregulation in all the cytokines studied except for IL-1β in DF-1 cells. It is plausible that NTZ is involved in causing immune-modulatory effects in poultry. NTZ treatment in two weeks old chicken showed significant reduction in NDV replication in trachea, and lungs, respectively, at 72 h post-infection. Encouraging results from the present study warrants repurposing NTZ as a drug for the treatment of viral infection in poultry. It will also pave the way towards understanding of similar effect against other animal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferrin Antony
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Yoya Vashi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Sudhir Morla
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Vandna
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, M.D. University, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India
| | - Hari Mohan
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, M.D. University, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India
| | - Sachin Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India.
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31
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Ji X, Li Z. Medicinal chemistry strategies toward host targeting antiviral agents. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1519-1557. [PMID: 32060956 PMCID: PMC7228277 DOI: 10.1002/med.21664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs) represent a class of drugs targeting viral proteins and have been demonstrated to be very successful in combating viral infections in clinic. However, DAAs suffer from several inherent limitations, including narrow‐spectrum antiviral profiles and liability to drug resistance, and hence there are still unmet needs in the treatment of viral infections. In comparison, host targeting antivirals (HTAs) target host factors for antiviral treatment. Since host proteins are probably broadly required for various viral infections, HTAs are not only perceived, but also demonstrated to exhibit broad‐spectrum antiviral activities. In addition, host proteins are not under the genetic control of viral genome, and hence HTAs possess much higher genetic barrier to drug resistance as compared with DAAs. In recent years, much progress has been made to the development of HTAs with the approval of chemokine receptor type 5 antagonist maraviroc for human immunodeficiency virus treatment and more in the pipeline for other viral infections. In this review, we summarize various host proteins as antiviral targets from a medicinal chemistry prospective. Challenges and issues associated with HTAs are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyue Ji
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuorong Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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32
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Ranjbar S, Haridas V, Nambu A, Jasenosky LD, Sadhukhan S, Ebert TS, Hornung V, Cassell GH, Falvo JV, Goldfeld AE. Cytoplasmic RNA Sensor Pathways and Nitazoxanide Broadly Inhibit Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis Growth. iScience 2019; 22:299-313. [PMID: 31805434 PMCID: PMC6909047 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To establish stable infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) must overcome host innate immune mechanisms, including those that sense pathogen-derived nucleic acids. Here, we show that the host cytosolic RNA sensing molecules RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) signaling proteins RIG-I and MDA5, their common adaptor protein MAVS, and the RNA-dependent kinase PKR each independently inhibit MTb growth in human cells. Furthermore, we show that MTb broadly stimulates RIG-I, MDA5, MAVS, and PKR gene expression and their biological activities. We also show that the oral FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) significantly inhibits intracellular MTb growth and amplifies MTb-stimulated RNA sensor gene expression and activity. This study establishes prototypic cytoplasmic RNA sensors as innate restriction factors for MTb growth in human cells and it shows that targeting this pathway is a potential host-directed approach to treat tuberculosis disease. MTb infection induces RNA sensor (RIG-I, MDA5, PKR) mRNA levels and activities RIG-I, MDA5, MAVS, and PKR restrict intracellular MTb growth in human cells NTZ enhances MTb-driven RNA sensor mRNA levels and RLR activities NTZ and NTZ derivatives inhibit intracellular MTb growth in primary human cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahin Ranjbar
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Viraga Haridas
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aya Nambu
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Luke D Jasenosky
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Supriya Sadhukhan
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas S Ebert
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Veit Hornung
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Gail H Cassell
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James V Falvo
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anne E Goldfeld
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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33
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Jasenosky LD, Cadena C, Mire CE, Borisevich V, Haridas V, Ranjbar S, Nambu A, Bavari S, Soloveva V, Sadukhan S, Cassell GH, Geisbert TW, Hur S, Goldfeld AE. The FDA-Approved Oral Drug Nitazoxanide Amplifies Host Antiviral Responses and Inhibits Ebola Virus. iScience 2019; 19:1279-1290. [PMID: 31402258 PMCID: PMC6831822 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we show that the US Food and Drug Administration-approved oral drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) broadly amplifies the host innate immune response to viruses and inhibits Ebola virus (EBOV) replication. We find that NTZ enhances retinoic-acid-inducible protein I (RIG-I)-like-receptor, mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein, interferon regulatory factor 3, and interferon activities and induces transcription of the antiviral phosphatase GADD34. NTZ significantly inhibits EBOV replication in human cells through its effects on RIG-I and protein kinase R (PKR), suggesting that it counteracts EBOV VP35 protein's ability to block RIG-I and PKR sensing of EBOV. NTZ also inhibits a second negative-strand RNA virus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), through RIG-I and GADD34, but not PKR, consistent with VSV's distinct host innate immune evasion mechanisms. Thus, NTZ counteracts varied virus-specific immune evasion strategies by generally enhancing the RNA sensing and interferon axis that is triggered by foreign cytoplasmic RNA exposure, and holds promise as an oral therapy against EBOV. NTZ amplifies RNA sensor and type I interferon activities and induces GADD34 expression NTZ inhibits infectious Ebola virus (EBOV) via RIG-I and PKR, but not GADD34 NTZ inhibits a second negative-strand RNA virus, VSV, via RIG-I and GADD34, but not PKR NTZ holds promise as an oral therapy against EBOV
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke D Jasenosky
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Cristhian Cadena
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chad E Mire
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Viraga Haridas
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shahin Ranjbar
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aya Nambu
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sina Bavari
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Veronica Soloveva
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Supriya Sadukhan
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gail H Cassell
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas W Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Sun Hur
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anne E Goldfeld
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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Nitazoxanide Is a Therapeutic Option for Adenovirus-Related Enteritis in Immunocompromised Adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.01937-18. [PMID: 30275085 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01937-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Nitazoxanide Inhibits Human Norovirus Replication and Synergizes with Ribavirin by Activation of Cellular Antiviral Response. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00707-18. [PMID: 30104275 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00707-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Norovirus is the main cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide. Although norovirus gastroenteritis is self-limiting in immunocompetent individuals, chronic infections with debilitating and life-threatening complications occur in immunocompromised patients. Nitazoxanide (NTZ) has been used empirically in the clinic and has demonstrated effectiveness against norovirus gastroenteritis. In this study, we aimed at uncovering the antiviral potential and mechanisms of action of NTZ and its active metabolite, tizoxanide (TIZ), using a human norovirus (HuNV) replicon. NTZ and TIZ, collectively referred to as thiazolides (TZD), potently inhibited replication of HuNV and a norovirus surrogate, feline calicivirus. Mechanistic studies revealed that TZD activated cellular antiviral response and stimulated the expression of a subset of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), particularly interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), not only in a Huh7 cell-based HuNV replicon, but also in naive Huh7 and Caco-2 cells and novel human intestinal organoids. Overexpression of exogenous IRF-1 inhibited HuNV replication, whereas knockdown of IRF-1 largely attenuated the antiviral activity of TZD, suggesting that IRF-1 mediated TZD inhibition of HuNV. By using a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, CP-690550, and a STAT1 knockout approach, we found that TZD induced antiviral response independently of the classical JAK-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. Furthermore, TZD and ribavirin synergized to inhibit HuNV replication and completely depleted the replicons from host cells after long-term treatment. In summary, our results demonstrated that TZD combated HuNV replication through activation of cellular antiviral response, in particular by inducing a prominent antiviral effector, IRF-1. NTZ monotherapy or combination with ribavirin represent promising options for treating norovirus gastroenteritis, especially in immunocompromised patients.
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Hickson SE, Margineantu D, Hockenbery DM, Simon JA, Geballe AP. Inhibition of vaccinia virus replication by nitazoxanide. Virology 2018; 518:398-405. [PMID: 29625403 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Nitazoxanide (NTZ) is an FDA-approved anti-protozoal drug that inhibits several bacteria and viruses as well. However, its effect on poxviruses is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the impact of NTZ on vaccinia virus (VACV). We found that NTZ inhibits VACV production with an EC50 of ~2 μM, a potency comparable to that reported for several other viruses. The inhibitory block occurs early during the viral life cycle, prior to viral DNA replication. The mechanism of viral inhibition is likely not due to activation of intracellular innate immune pathways, such as protein kinase R (PKR) or interferon signaling, contrary to what has been suggested to mediate the effects of NTZ against some other viruses. Rather, our finding that addition of exogenous palmitate partially rescues VACV production from the inhibitory effect of NTZ suggests that NTZ impedes adaptations in cellular metabolism that are needed for efficient completion of the VACV replication cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Hickson
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, United States; Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, United States
| | - Daciana Margineantu
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
| | - David M Hockenbery
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, United States; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, United States
| | - Julian A Simon
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
| | - Adam P Geballe
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, United States; Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, United States; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, United States.
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Calculation of Wiener Indices of Thiazolides: The Potent Inhibitors of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Replication. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2018. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.67709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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Inhibition of rubella virus replication by the broad-spectrum drug nitazoxanide in cell culture and in a patient with a primary immune deficiency. Antiviral Res 2017; 147:58-66. [PMID: 28974385 PMCID: PMC7127570 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Persistent rubella virus (RV) infection has been associated with various pathologies such as congenital rubella syndrome, Fuchs's uveitis, and cutaneous granulomas in patients with primary immune deficiencies (PID). Currently there are no drugs to treat RV infections. Nitazoxanide (NTZ) is an FDA-approved drug for parasitic infections, and has been recently shown to have broad-spectrum antiviral activities. Here we found that empiric 2-month therapy with oral NTZ was associated in the decline/elimination of RV antigen from lesions in a PID patient with RV positive granulomas, while peginterferon treatment had no effect. In addition, we characterized the effects of NTZ on cell culture models of persistent RV infection. NTZ significantly inhibited RV replication in a primary culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and Vero and A549 epithelial cell lines in a dose dependent manner with an average 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.35 μg/ml (1.1 μM). RV strains representing currently circulating genotypes were inhibited to a similar extent. NTZ affected early and late stages of infection by inhibiting synthesis of cellular and RV RNA and interfering with intracellular trafficking of the RV surface glycoproteins, E1 and E2. These results suggest a potential application of NTZ for the treatment of persistent rubella infections, but more studies are required.
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Boldescu V, Behnam MAM, Vasilakis N, Klein CD. Broad-spectrum agents for flaviviral infections: dengue, Zika and beyond. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2017; 16:565-586. [PMID: 28473729 PMCID: PMC5925760 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2017.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Infections with flaviviruses, such as dengue, West Nile virus and the recently re-emerging Zika virus, are an increasing and probably lasting global risk. This Review summarizes and comments on the opportunities for broad-spectrum agents that are active against multiple flaviviruses. Broad-spectrum activity is particularly desirable to prepare for the next flaviviral epidemic, which could emerge from as-yet unknown or neglected viruses. Potential molecular targets for broad-spectrum antiflaviviral compounds include viral proteins, such as the viral protease or polymerase, and host targets that are exploited by these viruses during entry and replication, including α-glucosidase and proteins involved in nucleoside biosynthesis. Numerous compounds with broad-spectrum antiviral activity have already been identified by target-specific or phenotypic assays. For other compounds, broad-spectrum activity can be anticipated because of their mode of action and molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veaceslav Boldescu
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Laboratory of Organic Synthesis and Biopharmaceuticals, Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Academiei 3, 2028 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Mira A. M. Behnam
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nikos Vasilakis
- Dept. of Pathology and Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases and Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, 2.138D Keiller Bldg, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555–0609, USA
| | - Christian D. Klein
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Pei Y, Wang C, Yan SF, Liu G. Past, Current, and Future Developments of Therapeutic Agents for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. J Med Chem 2017; 60:6461-6479. [PMID: 28383274 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
For decades, treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been relying on interferon (IFN)-based therapies and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) that selectively target the viral polymerase reverse transcriptase (RT) domain and thereby disrupt HBV viral DNA synthesis. We have summarized here the key steps in the HBV viral life cycle, which could potentially be targeted by novel anti-HBV therapeutics. A wide range of next-generation direct antiviral agents (DAAs) with distinct mechanisms of actions are discussed, including entry inhibitors, transcription inhibitors, nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, inhibitors of viral ribonuclease H (RNase H), modulators of viral capsid assembly, inhibitors of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion, RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencers, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and natural products. Compounds that exert their antiviral activities mainly through host factors and immunomodulation, such as host targeting agents (HTAs), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, are also discussed. In this Perspective, we hope to provide an overview, albeit by no means being comprehensive, for the recent development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic HBV infection, which not only are able to sustainably suppress viral DNA but also aim to achieve functional cure warranted by HBsAg loss and ultimately lead to virus eradication and cure of hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yameng Pei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chunting Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
| | - S Frank Yan
- Molecular Design and Chemical Biology, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Gang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Potent antivirals are successfully used for the treatment of infections with herpesviruses, hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV, and with some success for influenza viruses. However, no selective inhibitors are available for a multitude of medically important viruses, most of which are (re-)emerging RNA viruses. As it is impossible to develop drugs against each of these viruses, broad-spectrum antiviral agents (BSAA) are a prime strategy to cope with this challenge. RECENT FINDINGS We propose four categories of antiviral molecules that hold promise as BSAA. Several nucleoside analogues with broad antiviral activity have been described and given the relatively conserved nature of viral polymerases, it may be possible to develop more broad-spectrum nucleoside analogues. A number of viral proteins are relatively conserved between families and may also be interesting targets. Host-targeting antiviral drugs such as modulators of lipid metabolism and cyclophilin inhibitors can be explored as well. Finally, the potent and broad antiviral function of the immune system can be exploited by the development of immune-modulating BSAA. SUMMARY Despite the recent advances, the BSAA field is still in its infancy. Nevertheless, the discovery and development of such molecules will be a key aim of antiviral research in the coming decades.
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Petersen T, Lee YJ, Osinusi A, Amorosa VK, Wang C, Kang M, Matining R, Zhang X, Dou D, Umbleja T, Kottilil S, Peters MG. Interferon Stimulated Gene Expression in HIV/HCV Coinfected Patients Treated with Nitazoxanide/Peginterferon-Alfa-2a and Ribavirin. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2016; 32:660-7. [PMID: 26974581 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2015.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A combination of nitazoxanide (NTZ), peginterferon (PegIFN), and ribavirin (RBV) may result in higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates in hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfected patients. This study evaluated the effect of NTZ on interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in vitro and in vivo among HIV/HCV genotype-1 (GT-1) treatment-naive patients. The ability of NTZ to enhance host response to interferon (IFN) signaling using the HCV cell culture system was initially evaluated. Second, ISG expression in 53 patients with treatment outcomes [21 SVR and 32 nonresponders (NR)] in the ACTG A5269 trial, a phase-II study (4-week lead in of NTZ 500 mg daily followed by 48 weeks of NTZ, PegIFN, and weight-based RBV), was assessed. The relative expression of 48 ISGs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8 of treatment in a blinded manner. In vitro NTZ produced a direct and additive antiviral effect with IFN-alfa, with pretreatment of NTZ resulting in maximal HCV suppression. NTZ augmented IFN-mediated ISG induction in PBMCs from relapsers and SVRs (p < 0.05), but not NR. In ACTG A5269, baseline expression of most ISGs was similar between NR and SVR. NTZ minimally induced 17 genes in NR and 13 genes in SVR after 4 weeks of therapy. However, after initiation of PegIFN and RBV, ISG induction was predominantly observed in the SVR group and not NR group. NTZ treatment facilitates IFN-induced suppression of HCV replication. Inability to achieve SVR with IFN-based therapy in this clinical trial is associated with diminished ISG response to therapy that is refractory to NTZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess Petersen
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yu-Jin Lee
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Anu Osinusi
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California
| | - Valerianna K. Amorosa
- Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Crystal Wang
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Minhee Kang
- Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Roy Matining
- Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Diana Dou
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Triin Umbleja
- Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shyam Kottilil
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Marion G. Peters
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Impact of nitazoxanide on sustained virologic response in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 28:42-7. [PMID: 26473300 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000000492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitazoxanide, approved for the treatment of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia, was found to inhibit hepatitis C virus replication. AIM The aim of this study was to assess the impact of nitazoxanide as an add-on therapy to pegylated interferon α-2a and ribavirin on sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 200 patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in the study, assigned randomly in a 1 : 1 ratio to two groups: group A (placebo group) and group B (nitazoxanide group). Five patients withdrew from the study after they signed the consent form.A total of 195 patients were evaluated: 97 patients in group A versus 98 patients in group B at a dose of 500 mg twice daily. Placebo and nitazoxanide were administered as an add-on therapy to pegylated interferon α-2a plus ribavirin following a 12-week lead-in phase. SVR was evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS software. RESULTS The mean age of the patients in group A was 46.5 versus 45.7 years in group B. In group A, 85 out of 97 (87.6%) patients were men and in group B, 84 out of 98 (85.7%) patients were men.In group A, 59 out of 97 (60.82%) patients achieved an SVR versus 57 out of 98 (58.16%) patients in group B (P=0.70); this difference was not significant. CONCLUSION Our data did not show any significant impact of nitazoxanide on SVR.
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Gekonge B, Bardin MC, Montaner LJ. Short communication: Nitazoxanide inhibits HIV viral replication in monocyte-derived macrophages. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2015; 31:237-41. [PMID: 25303025 PMCID: PMC4313412 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2014.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We document the anti-HIV activity of nitazoxanide (NTZ), the first member of the thiazolide class of antiinfective drugs, originally effective against enteritis caused by Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. NTZ has been administered extensively worldwide, with no severe toxicities associated with its use. Here, we show for the first time that NTZ decreases HIV-1 replication in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) if present before or during HIV-1 infection. This NTZ effect is associated with downregulation of HIV-1 receptors CD4 and CCR5, and increasing gene expression of host cell anti-HIV resistance factors APOBEC3A/3G and tetherin. As NTZ is already in clinical use for other conditions, this newly described anti-HIV activity in MDM may facilitate innovative intensification strategies against HIV-1 when combined with current antiretroviral drug regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethsebah Gekonge
- HIV Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Luis J. Montaner
- HIV Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Synergistic effect of nitazoxanide with neuraminidase inhibitors against influenza A viruses in vitro. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 59:1061-9. [PMID: 25451059 DOI: 10.1128/aac.03947-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of drug-resistant influenza A virus (IAV) strains represents a serious threat to global human health and underscores the need for novel approaches to anti-influenza chemotherapy. Combination therapy with drugs affecting different IAV targets represents an attractive option for influenza treatment. We have previously shown that the thiazolide anti-infective nitazoxanide (NTZ) inhibits H1N1 IAV replication by selectively blocking viral hemagglutinin maturation. Herein we investigate the anti-influenza activity of NTZ against a wide range of human and avian IAVs (H1N1, H3N2, H5N9, H7N1), including amantadine-resistant and oseltamivir-resistant strains, in vitro. We also investigate whether therapy with NTZ in combination with the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir exerts synergistic, additive, or antagonistic antiviral effects against influenza viruses. NTZ was effective against all IAVs tested, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) ranging from 0.9 to 3.2 μM, and selectivity indexes (SIs) ranging from >50 to >160, depending on the strain and the multiplicity of infection (MOI). Combination therapy studies were performed in cell culture-based assays using A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1), A/WSN/1933 (H1N1), or avian A/chicken/Italy/9097/1997 (H5N9) IAVs; dose-effect analysis and synergism/antagonism quantification were performed using isobologram analysis according to the Chou-Talalay method. Combination index (CI) analysis indicated that NTZ and oseltamivir combination treatment was synergistic against A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) and A/WSN/1933 (H1N1) IAVs, with CI values ranging between 0.39 and 0.63, independently of the MOI used. Similar results were obtained when NTZ was administered in combination with zanamivir (CI=0.3 to 0.48). NTZ-oseltamivir combination treatment was synergistic also against the avian A/chicken/Italy/9097/1997 (H5N9) IAV (CI=0.18 to 0.31). Taken together, the results suggest that regimens that combine neuraminidase inhibitors and nitazoxanide exert synergistic anti-influenza effects.
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Nitazoxanide: a first-in-class broad-spectrum antiviral agent. Antiviral Res 2014; 110:94-103. [PMID: 25108173 PMCID: PMC7113776 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 351] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Revised: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Originally developed and commercialized as an antiprotozoal agent, nitazoxanide was later identified as a first-in-class broad-spectrum antiviral drug and has been repurposed for the treatment of influenza. A Phase 2b/3 clinical trial recently published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that oral administration of nitazoxanide 600mg twice daily for five days reduced the duration of clinical symptoms and reduced viral shedding compared to placebo in persons with laboratory-confirmed influenza. The same study also suggested a potential benefit for subjects with influenza-like illness who did not have influenza or other documented respiratory viral infection. From a chemical perspective, nitazoxanide is the scaffold for a new class of drugs called thiazolides. These small-molecule drugs target host-regulated processes involved in viral replication. Nitazoxanide is orally bioavailable and safe with extensive post-marketing experience involving more than 75 million adults and children. A new dosage formulation of nitazoxanide is presently undergoing global Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of influenza. Nitazoxanide inhibits a broad range of influenza A and B viruses including influenza A(pH1N1) and the avian A(H7N9) as well as viruses that are resistant to neuraminidase inhibitors. It is synergistic with neuraminidase inhibitors, and combination therapy with oseltamivir is being studied in humans as part of ongoing Phase 3 clinical development. Nitazoxanide also inhibits the replication of a broad range of other RNA and DNA viruses including respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, coronavirus, rotavirus, norovirus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis virus and human immunodeficiency virus in cell culture assays. Clinical trials have indicated a potential role for thiazolides in treating rotavirus and norovirus gastroenteritis and chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C. Ongoing and future clinical development is focused on viral respiratory infections, viral gastroenteritis and emerging infections such as dengue fever.
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Ashiru O, Howe JD, Butters TD. Nitazoxanide, an antiviral thiazolide, depletes ATP-sensitive intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Virology 2014; 462-463:135-48. [PMID: 24971706 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Nitazoxanide (NTZ) inhibits influenza, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus replication but effects on the replication of other members of the Flaviviridae family has yet to be defined. The pestivirus bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is a surrogate model for HCV infection and NTZ induced PKR and eIF2α phosphorylation in both uninfected and BVDV-infected cells. This led to the observation that NTZ depletes ATP-sensitive intracellular Ca(2+) stores. In addition to PKR and eIF2α phosphorylation, consequences of NTZ-mediated Ca(2+) mobilisation included induction of chronic sub-lethal ER stress as well as perturbation of viral protein N-linked glycosylation and trafficking. To adapt to NTZ-mediated ER stress, NTZ treated cells upregulated translation of Ca(2+)-binding proteins, including the ER chaperone Bip and the cytosolic pro-survival and anti-viral protein TCTP. Depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores is the primary consequence of NTZ treatment and is likely to underpin all antiviral mechanisms attributed to the thiazolide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omodele Ashiru
- Oxford Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Jonathon D Howe
- Oxford Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Terry D Butters
- Oxford Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 3QU, UK.
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A functional perspective of nitazoxanide as a potential anticancer drug. Mutat Res 2014; 768:16-21. [PMID: 25847384 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2014.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, evasion of cell death and the ability to invade and disrupt vital tissue function. The classic model of carcinogenesis describes successive clonal expansion driven by the accumulation of mutations that eliminate restraints on proliferation and cell survival. It has been proposed that during cancer's development, the loose-knit colonies of only partially differentiated cells display some unicellular/prokaryotic behavior reminiscent of robust ancient life forms. The seeming "regression" of cancer cells involves changes within metabolic machinery and survival strategies. This atavist change in physiology enables cancer cells to behave as selfish "neo-endo-parasites" that exploit the tumor stromal cells in order to extract nutrients from the surrounding microenvironment. In this framework, it is conceivable that anti-parasitic compounds might serve as promising anticancer drugs. Nitazoxanide (NTZ), a thiazolide compound, has shown antimicrobial properties against anaerobic bacteria, as well as against helminths and protozoa. NTZ has also been successfully used to promote Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination by improving interferon signaling and promoting autophagy. More compelling however are the potential anti-cancer properties that have been observed. NTZ seems to be able to interfere with crucial metabolic and pro-death signaling such as drug detoxification, unfolded protein response (UPR), autophagy, anti-cytokine activities and c-Myc inhibition. In this article, we review the ability of NTZ to interfere with integrated survival mechanisms of cancer cells and propose that this compound might be a potent addition to the current chemotherapeutic strategy against cancer.
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Radi AE, El-Naggar AE, Nassef HM. Electrochemical and Spectral studies on the Interaction of the Antiparasitic Drug Nitazoxanide with DNA. Electrochim Acta 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2014.02.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Andrews KT, Fisher G, Skinner-Adams TS. Drug repurposing and human parasitic protozoan diseases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2014; 4:95-111. [PMID: 25057459 PMCID: PMC4095053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Revised: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases have an enormous health, social and economic impact and are a particular problem in tropical regions of the world. Diseases caused by protozoa and helminths, such as malaria and schistosomiasis, are the cause of most parasite related morbidity and mortality, with an estimated 1.1 million combined deaths annually. The global burden of these diseases is exacerbated by the lack of licensed vaccines, making safe and effective drugs vital to their prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, where drugs are available, their usefulness is being increasingly threatened by parasite drug resistance. The need for new drugs drives antiparasitic drug discovery research globally and requires a range of innovative strategies to ensure a sustainable pipeline of lead compounds. In this review we discuss one of these approaches, drug repurposing or repositioning, with a focus on major human parasitic protozoan diseases such as malaria, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis and leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine T Andrews
- Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gillian Fisher
- Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tina S Skinner-Adams
- Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
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