Monika Roszkowska, Michał Furtak, Bożena Gabryel

Clinical potential of doxycycline as an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases

 

DOI: 10.32383/farmpol/224740

2026-07-14

Subject of research. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are considered key mediators of tissue remodeling and inflammation, and increased activity is a factor in the pathogenesis of many conditions, including gingivitis, acne, aneurysms, rheumatic diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. MMPs therefore represent a modifiable and clinically relevant therapeutic target. In recent years, the properties of doxycycline as an inhibitor of MMPs have attracted the attention of researchers dealing with diseases of the skin, oral cavity, and blood vessels.

Purpose of research. The aim of this paper was to present the current state of knowledge regarding the non-antibiotic properties of doxycycline, primarily related to its ability to inhibit MMPs. This review discusses the mechanisms of action of selected compounds as well as the possibility of their application in the treatment of selected diseases. This review discusses the potential use of doxycycline in the treatment of various pathological conditions associated with increased MMP activity.

Materials and methods. A literature review was conducted using electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar). The search strategy combined medical subject terms (“periodontitis”, “rosacea”, “osteoarthritis”, “thyroid eye disease”, “abdominal aortic aneurysm”, “cystic fibrosis”, “acute respiratory distress syndrome”, “multiple sclerosis”, “cancer”) with keywords (“doxycycline”, “metalloproteinases”, “nonantibiotic action”, “diseases”). Original articles, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and meta-analyses were included.

Results and discussion. Based on the analysis of the literature according to the adopted criteria, the following diseases were selected for this review in which the activity of MMPs was shown to be decreased by doxycycline, i.e., gingivitis, rosacea, osteoarthritis, thyroid orbitopathy, abdominal aortic aneurysm, cystic fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.

The mechanism of action of doxycycline as an MMP inhibitor was characterized, the results of the studies conducted so far were described, and the possibility of its use in the treatment of these diseases was discussed.

Conclusions. Evidence from both experimental and clinical studies indicate that doxycycline possesses considerable potential for inhibition of MMPs. Further research, especially clinical research, is necessary to optimally utilize the non-antibiotic properties of doxycycline.

Keywords: doxycycline, metalloproteinases, nonantibiotic action, diseases.

© Farm Pol, 2026, 82(1): 15–26