Itraconazole and posaconazole from antifungal to antiviral drugs

Abstract

The extended spectrum of antifungal triazole such as posaconazole (POS) and itraconazole (ITZ) shows the active efficacy for prophylaxis and treatment of an invasive fungal infection that may cause various infections such as respiratory diseases. Active azoles' derivatives, especially POS and ITZ, with high biological efficacy and low toxicity have made new advances in azoles' compounds as antimicrobials. Recently, some studies focused on the potential antimicrobial action of POS and ITZ against some viruses such as influenza A virus, Ebola virus, and enteroviruses. In general, new treatment research is needed due to the continued expansion of viral diseases and the exponential growth in mortality rates. By discussing the most recent information about the antiviral action of POS and ITZ against certain viral infections, as well as attempting to gain a deep understanding of the major properties, mechanisms of action, immune system responses, and antimicrobial activity of POS and ITZ, this review may serve as an impetus for researchers working in the field of medical microbiology and antiviral drug design. Since the antiviral activity of POS and ITZ against various viruses by different mechanisms of actions including enveloped viral infection, besides its other unique properties such as prophylactic feature and host immunomodulatory effects, as a result of our review, it appears that POS and ITZ, as effective antifungi drugs, may offer the possibility of developing a novel therapeutic alternative or synergistic treatment for certain viruses.