Zhihong Liu,1,2,* Xiaofang Liang,1,* Yu Zhang,1 Wenbo Deng,1 Yulin Wang,3 Zhangping Lu,2 Qianqian Liu,2 Lianhua Wei2 

1School of Public Health, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, People’s Republic of China; 3Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Lianhua Wei, Email 107306723@qq.com

Abstract: The development of antibiotic resistance complicates the treatment of infectious diseases and is a global public health threat. However, drug repurposing can address this resistance issue and reduce research and development costs. Niclosamide is a salicylanilide compound approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it has been used clinically for treating parasitic infections for many years. Recent studies have shown that niclosamide can inhibit bacterial and fungus activity by affecting the quorum sensing system, biofilm formation, cell membrane potential, and other mechanisms. Here, we discuss recent advances in the antimicrobial applications of niclosamide and its derivatives to provide new perspectives in treating infectious diseases.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, multi-drug resistance, niclosamide, a derivative, drug repurposing