Recent Advances of β-blockers as drug repurposing approach: a systematic review

Abstract

Repurposing pharmaceuticals is a potentially effective method in drug development to find novel therapeutic applications for already FDA-approved medications that deviate from their original intended usage. Compared with conventional methods of de novo drug discovery, it offers numerous benefits because it can drastically cut down on development time and medical expenses. In this review, the potential repurposing of β-blockers that have been previously authorized by the FDA for the management of cardiovascular disorders such as (hypertension, arrhythmias, and aortic dissection) was discussed. β-blockers have been shown to have encouraging anti-cancer, antibacterial, antimigraine, and spermicide properties in many experimental and epidemiological investigations. The outcomes have led to new drug indications or may lead to new drug indications. The objective of this review is to collect medications and their plausible modes of action that support repurposing, address difficulties in repositioning β-blockers for other disorders, and explore the possible therapeutic benefits of incorporating these medicines into nano-system formulations.