SIRTUINS: POTENTIAL PHARMACOLOGICAL TARGET IN VARIOUS DISORDERS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2026v18i1.56201Keywords:
Cellular metabolism, Intracellular signalling peptides and proteins, Protein deacetylase, SirtuinsAbstract
Sirtuins are a group of NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases that play an important role in cellular homeostasis, with wide-ranging effects on health and disease. Gene expression, metabolism, DNA repair, stress responses, and longevity are just a few of the biological processes that are affected by these evolutionarily conserved enzymes. Seven sirtuin subtypes (SIRT1–SIRT7) comprise the sirtuin family, and each has unique enzymatic properties and subcellular locations. Sirtuins are essential agents in chromatin remodelling, coordinating epigenetic changes that affect gene transcription and cellular destiny. Additionally, they play a crucial role in controlling pathways for nutrition sensing and energy homeostasis, which regulate the cellular metabolism. Notably, sirtuins participate in DNA repair and affect cell cycle progression, both of which are essential for maintaining genomic stability. This article offers a thorough overview of sirtuin biology, with an emphasis on their numerous roles, cellular localization, and consequences in various physiological and pathological circumstances.
Downloads
References
1. Carafa V, Rotili D, Forgione M, Cuomo F, Serretiello E, Hailu GS. Sirtuin functions and modulation: from chemistry to the clinic. Clin Epigenet. 2016;8:61. doi: 10.1186/s13148-016-0224-3, PMID 27226812.
2. Carafa V, Nebbioso A, Altucci L. Sirtuins and disease: the road ahead. Front Pharmacol. 2012;3:4. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2012.00004, PMID 22319497.
3. Wu QJ, Zhang TN, Chen HH, Yu XF, LV JL, Liu YY. The sirtuin family in health and diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2022;7(1):402. doi: 10.1038/s41392-022-01257-8, PMID 36581622.
4. Feldman JL, Dittenhafer Reed KE, Denu JM. Sirtuin catalysis and regulation. J Biol Chem. 2012;287(51):42419-27. doi: 10.1074/jbc.R112.378877, PMID 23086947.
5. Wu QJ, Zhang TN, Chen HH, Yu XF, Lv JL, Liu YY. The sirtuin family in health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2022;7(1):402. doi: 10.1038/s41392-022-01257-8, PMID 36581622.
6. Gomes P, Fleming Outeiro T, Cavadas C. Emerging role of sirtuin 2 in the regulation of mammalian metabolism. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2015;36(11):756-68. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2015.08.001, PMID 26538315.
7. Chand J, Kandy AT, Prasad K, Mathew J, Sherin F, Subramanian G. In silico preparation and in vitro studies of benzylidene-based hydroxybenzyl urea derivatives as free radical scavengers in Parkinson’s disease. Int J App Pharm. 2024;16(3):217-24. doi: 10.22159/ijap.2024v16i3.50628.
8. Sowndarya R, Doss VA. Evaluation of sirtuin 3 biomarker before and after exercise regimen in chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressed rats. Asian J Pharm Clin Res. 2019;12(1):180-4. doi: 10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v12i1.28669.
9. Beauharnois JM, Bolivar BE, Welch JT. Sirtuin 6: a review of biological effects and potential therapeutic properties. Mol Bio Syst. 2013;9(7):1789-806. doi: 10.1039/C3MB00001J, PMID 23592245.
10. Klein MA, Denu JM. Biological and catalytic functions of sirtuin 6 as targets for small-molecule modulators. J Biol Chem. 2020;295(32):11021-41. doi: 10.1074/jbc.REV120.011438, PMID 32518153.
11. Li XT, Zhang YP, Zhang MW, Zhang ZZ, Zhong JC. Sirtuin 7 serves as a promising therapeutic target for cardiorenal diseases. Eur J Pharmacol. 2022;925:174977. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174977, PMID 35513019.
12. Villalba JM, Alcain FJ. Sirtuin activators and inhibitors. BioFactors. 2012;38(5):349-59. doi: 10.1002/biof.1032, PMID 22730114.
13. Aldisa O, Azminah A, Erlina L, Hayun H, Yanuar A. Virtual screening of Indonesian herbal database to find sirtuin 1 activators using the docking method. Asian J Pharm Clin Res. 2017;10(17):158-62. doi: 10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10s5.23121.
14. Fremont L. Biological effects of resveratrol. Life Sci. 2000;66(8):663-73. doi: 10.1016/S0024-3205(99)00410-5, PMID 10680575.
15. Bhat KP, Kosmeder JW, Pezzuto JM. Biological effects of resveratrol. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2001;3(6):1041-64. doi: 10.1089/152308601317203567, PMID 11813979.
16. Walle T. Bioavailability of resveratrol. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2011;1215(1):9-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05842.x, PMID 21261636.
17. Szkudelska K, Szkudelski T. Resveratrol obesity and diabetes. Eur J Pharmacol. 2010;635(1-3):1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2010.02.054, PMID 20303945.
18. Kelly GS. Quercetin. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2011;16(2):172-94. PMID 21649459.
19. Ungurianu A, Zanfirescu A, Margina D. Exploring the therapeutic potential of quercetin: a focus on its sirtuin-mediated benefits. Phytother Res. 2024;38(5):2361-87. doi: 10.1002/ptr.8168, PMID 38429891.
20. Zhang M, Swarts SG, Yin L, Liu C, Tian Y, Cao Y. Antioxidant properties of quercetin. In: LaManna JC, Puchowicz MA, Xu K, Harrison DK, Bruley DF, editors. Adv Exp Med Biol. Vol 701. Boston, MA: Springer; 2011. p. 283–289. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-7756-4_38, PMID 21445799.
21. Lakhanpal P, Rai DK. Quercetin: a versatile flavonoid. Internet Journal of Medical Update EJOURNAL. 2007;2(2):22-37. doi: 10.4314/ijmu.v2i2.39851.
22. Shan Y, Zhang S, Gao B, Liang S, Zhang H, Yu X. Adipose tissue SIRT1 regulates insulin sensitizing and anti-inflammatory effects of berberine. Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:591227. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.591227, PMID 33390968.
23. Li D, Yang C, Zhu JZ, Lopez E, Zhang T, Tong Q. Berberine remodels adipose tissue to attenuate metabolic disorders by activating sirtuin 3. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2022 May;43(5):1285-98. doi: 10.1038/s41401-021-00736-y, PMID 34417576.
24. Grynkiewicz G, Demchuk OM. New perspectives for fisetin. Front Chem. 2019;7(7):697. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00697, PMID 31750288.
25. Kim SC, Kim YH, Son SW, Moon EY, Pyo S, Um SH. Fisetin induces Sirt1 expression while inhibiting early adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2015;467(4):638-44. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.10.094, PMID 26499075.
26. Wang X, Li X, Zhou J, Lei Z, Yang X. Fisetin suppresses chondrocyte senescence and attenuates osteoarthritis progression by targeting sirtuin 6. Chem Biol Interact. 2024 Feb 25;390:110890. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110890, PMID 38278314.
27. Maher P. How fisetin reduces the impact of age and disease on CNS function. Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2015;7(1):58-82. doi: 10.2741/s425, PMID 25961687.
28. Prasath GS, Pillai SI, Subramanian SP. Fisetin improves glucose homeostasis through the inhibition of gluconeogenic enzymes in hepatic tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2014;740:248-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.06.065, PMID 25064342.
29. Zendedel E, Butler AE, Atkin SL, Sahebkar A. Impact of curcumin on sirtuins: a review. J Cell Biochem. 2018;119(12):10291-300. doi: 10.1002/jcb.27371, PMID 30145851.
30. Grabowska W, Suszek M, Wnuk M, Lewinska A, Wasiak E, Sikora E. Curcumin elevates sirtuin level but does not postpone in vitro senescence of human cells building the vasculature. Oncotarget. 2016;7(15):19201-13. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.8450, PMID 27034011.
31. Rajasekaran A, Sivagnanam G, Xavier R. Nutraceuticals as therapeutic agents: a review. RJPT. 2008;1(4):171-4. doi: 10.5958/0974-360X.
32. Alcain FJ, Villalba JM. Sirtuin inhibitors. Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2009;19(3):283-94. doi: 10.1517/13543770902755111, PMID 19441904.
33. Posakony J, Hirao M, Stevens S, Simon JA, Bedalov A. Inhibitors of Sir2: evaluation of splitomicin analogues. J Med Chem. 2004;47(10):2635-44. doi: 10.1021/jm030473r, PMID 15115404.
34. Neugebauer RC, Uchiechowska U, Meier R, Hruby H, Valkov V, Verdin E. Structure activity studies on splitomicin derivatives as sirtuin inhibitors and computational prediction of binding mode. J Med Chem. 2008;51(5):1203-13. doi: 10.1021/jm700972e, PMID 18269226.
35. Tsai YF, Yu HP, Chang WY, Liu FC, Huang ZC, Hwang TL. Sirtinol inhibits neutrophil elastase activity and attenuates lipopolysaccharide-mediated acute lung injury in mice. Sci Rep. 2015;5(1):8347. doi: 10.1038/srep08347, PMID 25666548.
36. Medda F, Russell RJ, Higgins M, McCarthy AR, Campbell J, Slawin AM. Novel cambinol analogs as sirtuin inhibitors: synthesis, biological evaluation and rationalization of activity. J Med Chem. 2009;52(9):2673-82. doi: 10.1021/jm8014298, PMID 19419202.
37. Trapp J, Meier R, Hongwiset D, Kassack MU, Sippl W, Jung M. Structure–activity studies on suramin analogs as inhibitors of NAD+-dependent histone deacetylases (sirtuins). ChemMedChem. 2007;2(10):1419-31. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.200700003, PMID 17628866.
38. Carafa V, Nebbioso A, Altucci L. Sirtuins and disease: the road ahead. Front Pharmacol. 2012 Jan 31;3:4. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2012.00004, PMID 22319497.
39. Funk JA, Schnellmann RG. Accelerated recovery of renal mitochondrial and tubule homeostasis with SIRT1/PGC-1α activation following ischemia–reperfusion injury. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2013;273(2):345-54. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.09.026, PMID 24096033.
40. Zhou X, Fan LX, Sweeney WE, Denu JM, Avner ED, Li X. Sirtuin 1 inhibition delays cyst formation in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease. J Clin Invest. 2013;123(7):3084-98. doi: 10.1172/JCI64401, PMID 23778143.
41. Zhou X, Fan LX, Li K, Ramchandran R, Calvet JP, Li X. SIRT2 regulates ciliogenesis and contributes to abnormal centrosome amplification caused by loss of polycystin-1. Hum Mol Genet. 2014;23(6):1644-55. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt556, PMID 24203696.
42. Liu R, Zhong Y, Li X, Chen H, Jim B, Zhou MM. Role of transcription factor acetylation in diabetic kidney disease. Diabetes. 2014;63(7):2440-53. doi: 10.2337/db13-1810, PMID 24608443.
43. Ashok P, Narenderan ST, Meyyanathan SN, Babu B, Vadivelan R. Development and validation of a RP-HPLC method for estimation of telmisartan in human plasma. Int J App Pharm. 2019;11(1):237. doi: 10.22159/ijap.2019v11i1.30513.
44. Raval AP, Dave KR, Perez Pinzon MA. Resveratrol mimics ischemic preconditioning in the brain. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2006;26(9):1141-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.jcbfm.9600262, PMID 16395277.
45. Raval AP, Lin HW, Dave KR, De Fazio RA, Della Morte DD, Kim EJ. Resveratrol and ischemic preconditioning in the brain. Curr Med Chem. 2008;15(15):1545-51. doi: 10.2174/092986708784638861, PMID 18537630.
46. Shindler KS, Ventura E, Rex TS, Elliott P, Rostami A. SIRT1 activation confers neuroprotection in experimental optic neuritis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48(8):3602-9. doi: 10.1167/iovs.07-0131, PMID 17652729.
47. Qin W, Chachich M, Lane M, Roth G, Bryant M, De Cabo R. Calorie restriction attenuates Alzheimer’s disease type brain amyloidosis in Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus). JAD. 2006;10(4):417-22. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2006-10411.
48. Julien C, Tremblay C, Emond V, Lebbadi M, Salem JR N, Bennett DA. Sirtuin 1 reduction parallels the accumulation of tau in Alzheimer disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2009;68(1):48-58. doi: 10.1097/NEN.0b013e3181922348, PMID 19104446.
49. Duan W, Mattson MP. Dietary restriction and 2-deoxyglucose administration improve behavioral outcome and reduce degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in models of Parkinson’s disease. J Neurosci Res. 1999;57(2):195-206. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4547(19990715)57:2<195::AID-JNR5>3.0.CO;2-P, PMID 10398297.
50. Pallas M, Pizarro JG, Gutierrez Cuesta J, Crespo Biel N, Alvira D, Tajes M. Modulation of SIRT1 expression in different neurodegenerative models and human pathologies. Neuroscience. 2008;154(4):1388-97. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.04.065, PMID 18538940.
51. Okawara M, Katsuki H, Kurimoto E, Shibata H, Kume T, Akaike A. Resveratrol protects dopaminergic neurons in midbrain slice culture from multiple insults. Biochem Pharmacol. 2007;73(4):550-60. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2006.11.003, PMID 17147953.
52. Sorolla MA, Nierga C, Rodriguez Colman MJ, Reverter Branchat G, Arenas A, Tamarit J. Sir2 is induced by oxidative stress in a yeast model of Huntington disease and its activation reduces protein aggregation. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2011;510(1):27-34. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2011.04.002, PMID 21513696.
53. Perry VH, Lunn ER, Brown MC, Cahusac S, Gordon S. Evidence that the rate of Wallerian degeneration is controlled by a single autosomal dominant gene. Eur J Neurosci. 1990;2(5):408-13. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1990.tb00433.x, PMID 12106028.
54. Avery MA, Sheehan AE, Kerr KS, Wang J, Freeman MR. Wld S requires Nmnat1 enzymatic activity and N16-VCP interactions to suppress Wallerian degeneration. J Cell Biol. 2009;184(4):501-13. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200808042, PMID 19237597.
55. Chalkiadaki A, Guarente L. The multifaceted functions of sirtuins in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 2015;15(10):608-24. doi: 10.1038/nrc3985, PMID 26383140.
56. Roth M, Chen WY. Sorting out functions of sirtuins in cancer. Oncogene. 2014;33(13):1609-20. doi: 10.1038/onc.2013.120, PMID 23604120.
57. Choi HN, Bae JS, Jamiyandorj U, Noh SJ, Park HS, Jang KY. Expression and role of SIRT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Rep. 2011;26(2):503-10. doi: 10.3892/or.2011.1301, PMID 21567102.
58. Zhao G, Cui J, Zhang JG, Qin Q, Chen Q, Yin T. SIRT1 RNAi knockdown induces apoptosis and senescence, inhibits invasion and enhances chemosensitivity in pancreatic cancer cells. Gene Ther. 2011;18(9):920-8. doi: 10.1038/gt.2011.81, PMID 21677689.
59. Zhang JG, Zhao G, Qin Q, Wang B, Liu L, Liu Y. Nicotinamide prohibits proliferation and enhances chemosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells through deregulating SIRT1 and Ras/Akt pathways. Pancreatology. 2013;13(2):140-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pan.2013.01.001, PMID 23561972.
60. Liu C, Huang Z, Jiang H, Shi F. The sirtuin 3 expression profile is associated with pathological and clinical outcomes in colon cancer patients. BioMed Res Int. 2014;2014:871263. doi: 10.1155/2014/871263, PMID 25105144.
61. Wang S, Chen X, Zhang Z, Wu Z. MicroRNA-1225-5p inhibits the development and progression of thyroid cancer via targeting sirtuin 3. Pharmazie. 2019;74(7):423-7. doi: 10.1691/ph.2019.9411, PMID 31288899.
62. Li D, Bi FF, Chen NN, Cao JM, Sun WP, Zhou YM. A novel crosstalk between BRCA1 and sirtuin 1 in ovarian cancer. Sci Rep. 2014;4(1):6666. doi: 10.1038/srep06666, PMID 25323003.
63. Tian J, Yuan L. Sirtuin 6 inhibits colon cancer progression by modulating PTEN/AKT signaling. Biomed Pharmacother. 2018;106:109-16. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.06.070, PMID 29957460.
64. Sun X, Wang S, Li Q. Comprehensive analysis of expression and prognostic value of sirtuins in ovarian cancer. Front Genet. 2019;10:879. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00879, PMID 31572453.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 REEMA MITRA, PRATIBHA SHARMA

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.