Abstract
Hard drugs have been defined as drugs that are biologically active and non-metabolizable in vivo. Soft drugs are defined as drugs, which are characterized by predictable and controllable in vivo destruction (i.e. metabolism) to form non-toxic products after they have achieved their therapeutic role. Quaternary ammonium compounds, such as benzalkonium chloride, are hard antibacterial agents. Their toxicity limits their usage in humans and animals, and their chemical stability limits their usage for general environmental sanitation. Furthermore, due to their stability they are prone to induce selective antimicrobial pressure and bacterial resistance. Soft analogs of the currently available hard antibacterial agents are less toxic. However, although the soft analogs have been shown to possess antibacterial activity in in vitro studies, it is likely that their in vivo activity will be hampered by their chemical instability.
Keywords: soft antibacterial agents, soft drugs, quaternary ammonium compounds, benzalkonium chloride
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Soft Antibacterial Agents
Volume: 10 Issue: 13
Author(s): T. Thorsteinsson, T. Loftsson and M. Masson
Affiliation:
Keywords: soft antibacterial agents, soft drugs, quaternary ammonium compounds, benzalkonium chloride
Abstract: Hard drugs have been defined as drugs that are biologically active and non-metabolizable in vivo. Soft drugs are defined as drugs, which are characterized by predictable and controllable in vivo destruction (i.e. metabolism) to form non-toxic products after they have achieved their therapeutic role. Quaternary ammonium compounds, such as benzalkonium chloride, are hard antibacterial agents. Their toxicity limits their usage in humans and animals, and their chemical stability limits their usage for general environmental sanitation. Furthermore, due to their stability they are prone to induce selective antimicrobial pressure and bacterial resistance. Soft analogs of the currently available hard antibacterial agents are less toxic. However, although the soft analogs have been shown to possess antibacterial activity in in vitro studies, it is likely that their in vivo activity will be hampered by their chemical instability.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Thorsteinsson T., Loftsson T. and Masson M., Soft Antibacterial Agents, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2003; 10 (13) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867033457520
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867033457520 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Importance of ABC Transporters in Drug Development
Current Pharmaceutical Design Anticancer Agents Derived from Natural Products
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Sepsis, Coagulation and Anticoagulants
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Balaglitazone: A Second Generation Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Gamma (γ) Agonist
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: Promising Lessons For Antiviral Therapy For Future Outbreaks
Current Medicinal Chemistry Transdermal Anti-inflammatory Delivery for Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Ketoprofen by Microwave-assisted Microemulsion
Recent Advances in Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery A Case Study from the Chemistry Core of the Pittsburgh Molecular Library Screening Center: The Polo-like Kinase Polo-Box Domain (Plk1- PBD)
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacophore Discovery - Lessons Learned
Current Pharmaceutical Design Current Scenario of 1,4-Diazepines as Potent Biomolecules-A Mini Review
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Acetylcholinesterase: Molecular Modeling with the Whole Toolkit
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Preclinical Investigation of Radiopharmaceuticals: An Accurate and Multidisciplinary Approach
Current Radiopharmaceuticals The Myometrium in Pregnant Women with Obesity
Current Vascular Pharmacology Thirty Years of Polyamine-Related Approaches to Cancer Therapy. Retrospect and Prospect. Part 2. Structural Analogues and Derivatives
Current Drug Targets Broadening Our View of Protective Antibody Responses Against HIV
Current HIV Research Synthesis of pyridyl benzimidazoles encompassing 4-thiazolidinone derivatives as potential antimicrobial agents
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Molecular Replacement in Cancer Therapy: Reversing Cancer Metabolic and Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Fatigue and the Adverse Effects of Cancer Therapy
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Forecasting of Covid-19 Cases Using Machine Learning Approach
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Latest Progress in the Identification of Novel Synthetic Ligands for the Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Cytokine Storm and Immunomodulation in COVID-19: A Review
Coronaviruses Preface
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Infective Agents