Ionophores are widely used in cell physiology experiments and biotechnology as these compounds can effectively perturb gradients of ions across biological membranes and thus they can modulate or enhance the role of key ions in the cell. Many ionophores have shown antibacterial and antifungal activities. Some of them also act against insects, pests and parasites. Some ionophores have been introduced into medicinal products for dermatological and veterinary use. A large amount of research has been directed toward investigating novel antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of different ionophores.
Chloroquine is an antimalarial and antiamebic drug. It is also used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. Pyrithione is used as an anti-dandruff agent in medicated shampoos for seborrheic dermatitis. It also serves as an anti-fouling agent in paints to cover and protect surfaces against mildew and algae. Clioquinol and PBT2 are 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives. Clioquinol has antiprotozoal and topical antifungal properties, however its use as an antiprotozoal agent has widely restricted because of neurotoxic concerns. Clioquinol and PBT2 are currently being studied for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimers disease, Huntingtons disease and Parkinson's disease. Gramicidin is used in throat lozenges and has been used to treat infected wounds. Epigallocatechin gallate is used in many dietary supplements and has shown slight cholesterol-lowering effects. Quercetin has a bitter flavor and is used as a food additive and in dietary supplements. Hinokitiol (ß-thujaplicin) is used in commercial products for skin, hair and oral care, insect repellents and deodorants. It is also used as a food additive, shelf-life extending agent in food packaging, and wood preservative in timber treatment.
Polyene antimycotics, such as nystatin, natamycin and amphotericin B, are a subgroup of macrolides and are widely used antifungal and antileishmanial medications. These drugs act as ionophores by binding to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane and making it leaky and permeable for K and Na ions, as a result contributing to fungal cell death.
Carboxylic ionophores, i.e. monensin, lasalocid, salinomycin, narasin, maduramicin, semduramycin and laidlomycin, are marketed globally and widely used as anticoccidial feed additives to prevent and treat coccidiosis in poultry. Some of these compounds have also been used as growth and production promoters in certain ruminants, such as cattle, and chickens, however this use has been mainly restricted because of safety issues.
Zinc ionophores have been shown to inhibit replication of various viruses in vitro, including coxsackievirus, equine arteritis virus, coronavirus, HCV, HSV, HCoV-229E, HIV, mengovirus, MERS-CoV, rhinovirus, SARS-CoV-1, Zika virus.