Niclosamide is a bioavailable chlorinated salicylanilide, with potential antiviral and known anthelmintic activity. Antihelminth activity is achieved by inhibiting glucose uptake, oxidative phosphorylation, and anaerobic metabolism in the tapeworm. Anticoronaviral activity is not well understood, but it is possible that niclosamide inhibits S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2). SKP2 is known to tag Benclin 1 (BECN1) for degradation and SKP2 inhibition increases the BENC1 level, enhances autophagy, and efficiently reduces coronavirus replication.
, , et al. Dose prediction for repurposing nitazoxanide in SARS-CoV-2 treatment or chemoprophylaxis. DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.01.20087130.
Med Hypotheses. 2020 Apr 22;140:109765. DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109765.