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Biersack B. The Antifungal Potential of Niclosamide and Structurally Related Salicylanilides. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5977. [PMID: 38892165 PMCID: PMC11172841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115977] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Human mycoses cover a diverse field of fungal diseases from skin disorders to systemic invasive infections and pose an increasing global health problem based on ineffective treatment options, the hampered development of new efficient drugs, and the emergence of resistant fungal strains. Niclosamide is currently applied for the treatment of worm infections. Its mechanisms of action, which include the suppression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (also known as mitochondrial uncoupling), among others, has led to a repurposing of this promising anthelmintic drug for the therapy of further human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and microbial infections. Given the urgent need to develop new drugs against fungal infections, the considerable antifungal properties of niclosamide are highlighted in this review. Its chemical and pharmacological properties relevant for drug development are also briefly mentioned, and the described mitochondria-targeting mechanisms of action add to the current arsenal of approved antifungal drugs. In addition, the activities of further salicylanilide-based niclosamide analogs against fungal pathogens, including agents applied in veterinary medicine for many years, are described and discussed for their feasibility as new antifungals for humans. Preliminary structure-activity relationships are determined and discussed. Various salicylanilide derivatives with antifungal activities showed increased oral bioavailabilities when compared with niclosamide. The simple synthesis of salicylanilide-based drugs also vouchsafes a broad and cost-effective availability for poorer patient groups. Pertinent literature is covered until 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Biersack
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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Ngai TW, Elfar GA, Yeo P, Phua N, Hor JH, Chen S, Ho YS, Cheok CF. Nitro-Deficient Niclosamide Confers Reduced Genotoxicity and Retains Mitochondrial Uncoupling Activity for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10420. [PMID: 34638761 PMCID: PMC8508655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Niclosamide is an oral anthelmintic drug, approved for use against tapeworm infections. Recent studies suggest however that niclosamide may have broader clinical applications in cancers, spurring increased interest in the functions and mechanisms of niclosamide. Previously, we reported that niclosamide targets a metabolic vulnerability in p53-deficient tumours, providing a basis for patient stratification and personalised treatment strategies. In the present study, we functionally characterised the contribution of the aniline 4'-NO2 group on niclosamide to its cellular activities. We demonstrated that niclosamide induces genome-wide DNA damage that is mechanistically uncoupled from its antitumour effects mediated through mitochondrial uncoupling. Elimination of the nitro group in ND-Nic analogue significantly reduced γH2AX signals and DNA breaks while preserving its antitumour mechanism mediated through a calcium signalling pathway and arachidonic acid metabolism. Lipidomics profiling further revealed that ND-Nic-treated cells retained a metabolite profile characteristic of niclosamide-treated cells. Notably, quantitative scoring of drug sensitivity suggests that elimination of its nitro group enhanced the target selectivity of niclosamide against p53 deficiency. Importantly, the results also raise concern that niclosamide may impose a pleiotropic genotoxic effect, which limits its clinical efficacy and warrants further investigation into alternative drug analogues that may ameliorate any potential unwanted side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsz Wai Ngai
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (T.W.N.); (G.A.E.); (P.Y.); (N.P.); (J.H.H.)
| | - Gamal Ahmed Elfar
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (T.W.N.); (G.A.E.); (P.Y.); (N.P.); (J.H.H.)
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - Pearlyn Yeo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (T.W.N.); (G.A.E.); (P.Y.); (N.P.); (J.H.H.)
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - Nicholas Phua
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (T.W.N.); (G.A.E.); (P.Y.); (N.P.); (J.H.H.)
| | - Jin Hui Hor
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (T.W.N.); (G.A.E.); (P.Y.); (N.P.); (J.H.H.)
| | - Shuwen Chen
- Analytical Science and Technology (Metabolomics), Bioprocessing Technology Institute, 20 Biopolis Way, Centros #06-01, Singapore 138668, Singapore; (S.C.); (Y.S.H.)
| | - Ying Swan Ho
- Analytical Science and Technology (Metabolomics), Bioprocessing Technology Institute, 20 Biopolis Way, Centros #06-01, Singapore 138668, Singapore; (S.C.); (Y.S.H.)
| | - Chit Fang Cheok
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (T.W.N.); (G.A.E.); (P.Y.); (N.P.); (J.H.H.)
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore
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Bhagat HA, Compton SA, Musso DL, Laudeman CP, Jackson KMP, Yi NY, Nierobisz LS, Forsberg L, Brenman JE, Sexton JZ. N-substituted phenylbenzamides of the niclosamide chemotype attenuate obesity related changes in high fat diet fed mice. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204605. [PMID: 30359371 PMCID: PMC6201879 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and insulin resistance are primary risk factors for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is generally exhibited by non-progressive simple steatosis. However, a significant subset of patient’s progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that is defined by the presence of steatosis, inflammation and hepatocyte injury with fibrosis. Unfortunately, there are no approved therapies for NAFLD or NASH and therefore therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Niclosamide is an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anthelmintic drug that mediates its effect by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation. Niclosamide and its salt forms, Niclosamide Ethanolamine (NEN), and Niclosamide Piperazine (NPP) have shown efficacy in murine models of diet induced obesity characterized by attenuation of the prominent fatty liver disease phenotype and improved glucose metabolism. While the exact mechanism(s) underlying these changes remains unclear, the ability to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation leading to increased energy expenditure and lipid metabolism or attenuation of PKA mediated glucagon signaling in the liver have been proposed. Unfortunately, niclosamide has very poor water solubility, leading to low oral bioavailability. This, in addition to mitochondrial uncoupling activity and potential genotoxicity have reduced enthusiasm for its clinical use. More recently, salt forms of niclosamide, NEN and NPP, have demonstrated improved oral bioavailability while retaining activity. This suggests that development of safer more effective niclosamide derivatives for the treatment of NAFLD and Type 2 Diabetes may be possible. Herein we explored the ability of a series of N-substituted phenylbenzamide derivatives of the niclosamide salicylanilide chemotype to attenuate hepatic steatosis using a novel phenotypic in vitro model of fatty liver and the high fat diet-fed mouse model of diet induced obesity. These studies identified novel compounds with improved pre-clinical properties that attenuate hepatic steatosis in vitro and in vivo. These compounds with improved drug properties may be useful in alleviating symptoms and protection against disease progression in patients with metabolic syndrome and NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiral A. Bhagat
- Curl Bio LLC, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - David L. Musso
- Curl Bio LLC, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | | | - Na Young Yi
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lidia S. Nierobisz
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lawrence Forsberg
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jay E. Brenman
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Z. Sexton
- Curl Bio LLC, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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