tizoxanide

Tizoxanide is a small molecule thiazolide compound and the primary active metabolite of the FDA-approved antiparasitic drug nitazoxanide. It is formed through the deacetylation of nitazoxanide after oral absorption. Tizoxanide exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against anaerobic bacteria, protozoa (including *Giardia lamblia*, *Cryptosporidium parvum*, and *Clostridium difficile*), and various viruses such as influenza, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV-1. Its mechanism of action involves inhibiting the pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR) enzyme-dependent electron transfer reactions in anaerobic organisms, blocking viral hemagglutinin maturation, and interfering with host-regulated viral protein synthesis. Additionally, it demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. While nitazoxanide is marketed by Romark Laboratories under the brand name Alinia, tizoxanide itself has been investigated in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Other names

desacetyl-nitazoxanide2-hydroxy-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)benzamide