Description
Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic and antifungal compound that also displays neuroprotective, immunosuppressive, and chemotherpaeutic activity. Minocycline acts as a bacteriostatic antimicrobial, inhibiting protein synthesis of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. This compound inhibits matrix metalloproteinases and reduces hemorrhagic transformation after stroke and also attenuates isofluorane-induced cognitive impairment in animal models. Additionally, minocycline inhibits NF-κB and T cell signaling as well as microglial activity and the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, improving symptoms of psychiatric and immune disorders. Minocycline inhibits IL-6 expression, downregulates the IL-6 receptor system, and decreases expression of phosphorylated STAT3, phosphorylated ERK1/2, MCL-1, and matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in ovarian cancer cell lines. This compound also displays benefit in an animal model of ALS, inhibiting cytochrome c release and delaying disease progression.