Ebselen: A Review on its Synthesis, Derivatives, Anticancer Efficacy and Utility in Combating SARS-COV-2

Farak Ali; Shahnaz Alom; Sheikh Rezzak Ali; Biswanarayan Kondoli; Prativa Sadhu; Chinmoyee Borah; Bibhuti Bushan Kakoti; Surajit Kumar Ghosh; Anshul Shakya; Abdul Baquee Ahmed; Udaya Pratap Singh; Hans Raj Bhatt

doi:10.2174/1389557523666230914103339

Ebselen: A Review on its Synthesis, Derivatives, Anticancer Efficacy and Utility in Combating SARS-COV-2

Mini Rev Med Chem. 2023 Sep 14. doi: 10.2174/1389557523666230914103339. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam, India-786004.
² Dibrugarh University Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dibrugarh India.
³ Department of Pharmacy, Tripura University, Suryamani Nagar, Agartala, Tripura 799022, India.
⁴ Drug Design & Discovery Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, 211007, India.

PMID: 37711004
DOI: 10.2174/1389557523666230914103339

Abstract

Ebselen is a selenoorganic chiral compound with antioxidant properties comparable to glutathione peroxidase. It is also known as 2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one. In studies examining its numerous pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, and anti-Alzheimer's, ebselen has demonstrated promising results. This review's primary objective was to emphasize the numerous synthesis pathways of ebselen and their efficacy in fighting cancer. The data were collected from multiple sources, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Publons. The starting reagents for the synthesis of ebselen are 2-aminobenzoic acid and N-phenyl benzamide. It was discovered that ebselen has the ability to initiate apoptosis in malignant cells and prevent the formation of new cancer cells by scavenging free radicals. In addition, ebselen increases tumor cell susceptibility to apoptosis by inhibiting TNF-α mediated NF-jB activation. Ebselen can inhibit both doxorubicin and daunorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Allopurinol and ebselen administered orally can be used to suppress renal ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Due to excessive administration, diclofenac can induce malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract, which ebselen can effectively suppress. Recent research has demonstrated ebselen to inhibit viral function by binding to cysteine-containing catalytic domains of various viral proteases. It was discovered that ebselen could inhibit the catalytic dyad function of Mpro by forming an irreversible covalent bond between Se and Cys145, thereby altering protease function and inhibiting SARS-CoV-2. Ebselen may also inhibit the activation of endosomal NADPH oxidase of vascular endothelial cells, which is believed to be required for thrombotic complications in COVID-19. In this review, we have included various studies conducted on the anticancer effect of ebselen as well as its inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: Anticancer; Cytoprotective; Ebselen; Glutathione Peroxidase; SARS-CoV-2; Seleno-organic.