title: In vitro and in vivo effects of N-methyl-3,5-dichloro-benzylamine hydrochloride on Mycobacterium leprae.
abstract: The antimicrobial effects of a new benzylamine, ME-93 (N-methyl-3,5-dichloro-benzylamine hydrochloride), alone and in combination with dapsone and rifampicin, have been evaluated in vitro in cell-free culture system and in vivo in mouse foot pad system. Even at 50 micrograms/ml, ME-93 did not completely inhibit the in vitro growth of M. leprae, and the effects were bacteriostatic. However, there was a synergism when ME-93 was combined with rifampicin, and the effects were bactericidal. Similar findings were also obtained in the mouse foot pad system. Thus, there is a new drug that needs further attention in the chemotherapy of leprosy.
authors.affiliation: Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dhople
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meindl
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schoenenberger
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001135:Armadillos; D001596:Benzylamines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003622:Dapsone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D012293:Rifampin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001596:Benzylamines; D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D003622:Dapsone; C070220:N-methyl-3,5-dichlorobenzylamine; D012293:Rifampin