Molecular basis of ebselen biological activity

The discovery of enzyme inhibitors has sparked global efforts to develop new therapeutics. In this regard, ebselen, an organoselenium compound, has been recognized with promising broad biological and enzyme inhibition activities of thiol-containing protein,s, which modulate the redox equilibrium. The binding mode of ebselen with thiol-proteins, typically, is based on the formation of covalent Se-S bonds with cysteine residues by opening the isoselenazolone ring, i.e. cleaving the Se-N bond, and demonstrating diverse mechanism activities in numerous disease models. The thiol-protein target engagement with ebselen can have significant effects on viral replication, cellular signaling, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, cell differentiation, immune regulation, and neurodegenerative diseases and shows antimicrobial, detoxifying, and anticancer activities, suggesting wider therapeutic applications. Over its 40-year-long history, several molecular action of the ebselen inhibition mechanism have been proposed in biological systems. It has been involved in several clinical trials, demonstrating its effectiveness as a therapeutic agent aimed at preventing and treating numerous human diseases. Based on remarkable discoveries concerning ebselen, the review describes its reactivity, mechanisms of action, and activities against various molecular targets.