Methods of treatment for cholestatic and fibrotic diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to the compound [2-[(5-nitro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)carbamoyl]phenyl]ethanoate (Nitazoxanide) 2-hydroxy-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)benzamide (Tizoxanide) for treating cholestatic and fibrotic diseases.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating liver fibrosis comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound selected from nitazoxanide, tizoxanide and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compound is administered in the form of a composition further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises a mixture of nitazoxanide and tizoxanide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the effective amount is from about 100 mg to about 2000 mg per day. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compound is administered orally. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the compound is administered orally in the form of a tablet, a capsule, a pill or a powder. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the compound is administered orally in the form of a pharmaceutical composition providing a prolonged release of the compound. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said administering slows down progression of the fibrosis. 
     
     
         20 . A method for treating liver fibrosis comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of nitazoxanide (NTZ) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of NTZ, wherein the liver fibrosis is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-induced fibrosis. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the nitazoxanide is administered in the form of a composition further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition comprises a mixture of nitazoxanide and tizoxanide. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the effective amount is from about 100 mg to about 2000 mg per day. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein NTZ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of NTZ is administered orally. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein NTZ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of NTZ is administered orally in the form of a tablet, a capsule, a pill or a powder. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein NTZ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of DTZ is administered orally in the form of a pharmaceutical composition providing a prolonged release of NTZ or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of NTZ. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said administering slows down progression of the fibrosis.