title: Antiviral activity of cationic amphiphilic drugs.
abstract: Emerging and reemerging viral infections represent a major concern for human and veterinary public health and there is an urgent need for the development of broad-spectrum antivirals. Areas covered: A recent strategy in antiviral research is based on the identification of molecules targeting host functions required for infection of multiple viruses. A number of FDA-approved drugs used to treat several human diseases are cationic amphiphilic drugs (CADs) that have the ability to accumulate inside cells affecting several structures/functions hijacked by viruses during infection. In this review we summarized the CADs' chemical properties and effects on the cells and reported the main FDA-approved CADs that have been identified so far as potential antivirals in drug repurposing studies. Expert commentary: Although there have been concerns regarding the efficacy and the possible side effects of the off-label use of CADs as antivirals, they seem to represent a promising starting point for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral strategies. Further knowledge about their mechanism of action is required to improve their antiviral activity and to reduce the risk of side effects.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , Padova , Italy.
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salata
authors.affiliation: a Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , Padova , Italy.
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calistri
authors.affiliation: a Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , Padova , Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parolin
authors.affiliation: b Clinica Medica 1, Department of Medicine , University of Padova , Padova , Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baritussio
authors.affiliation: a Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , Padova , Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palù
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058492:Drug Repositioning; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056687:Off-Label Use; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D014780:Viruses / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000962:Antimalarials; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
keywords: Amiodarone; Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus; Herpes simplex virus; U18666A; Zika virus; antivirals; cationic amphiphilic drugs; chikungunya virus; chloroquine; dengue virus; ebola virus; emerging viruses; enterovirus; hepatitis C virus; ion channel blockers; protein kinase inhibitors; psychoactive drug; selective estrogen receptor modulators