Ciclopirox (HOE296b) exerts its action by binding to and chelating trivalent cations, such as Fe3+ and Al3+, thereby inhibiting the availability of essential co-factors for enzymes. Ciclopirox is a synthetic, broad-spectrum antifungal agent with additional antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. This may lead to a loss of activity of enzymes that are essential for cellular metabolism, the organization of cell wall structure and other crucial cell functions. In addition, ciclopirox exerts its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase (COX).

Ciclopirox诱导HIF-1介导的报告基因活性和内源性HIF-1靶基因的表达,包括mRNA表达,转录以及血管内皮生长因子蛋白水平的升高。 Ciclopirox对白念珠菌酵母和菌丝细胞的生长具有剂量依赖性的抑制作用。通过维持线粒体跨膜电位,Ciclopirox阻断H2O2诱导的线粒体损伤。在腺癌SK-HEP-1细胞中,Ciclopirox使MTT还原减少（线粒体功能的标志物）并使过氧化氢刺激乳酸脱氢酶（细胞死亡的标志物）释放被完全阻断。在葡萄糖剥夺SIN-1处理的星形胶质细胞中,Ciclopirox增加了MTP并维持其高水平,还防止腺嘌呤核苷三磷酸耗竭。Ciclopirox对过氧化氢诱导的线粒体通透性转换孔开放具有有效的抑制作用。通过亚硝酸盐引起的线粒体功能障碍,Ciclopirox可保护星形胶质细胞免受过亚硝酸盐毒性。