title: Mechanism of antibacterial action: electron transfer and oxy radicals.
abstract: Most of the main categories of bactericidal agents, namely, aliphatic and heterocyclic nitro compounds, metal derivatives and chelators, quinones, azo dyes, and iminium-type ions, are proposed to exert their action by a unified mechanism. The toxic effect is believed to result generally from the catalytic production of reactive oxygen radicals that usually arise via electron transfer. Cyclic voltammetry was performed on a number of these agents. Reductions were for the most part reversible, with potentials in the favorable range of -0.20 to -0.58 V.
mesh_terms: D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004579:Electron Transport; D005609:Free Radicals; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / Q000494:pharmacology; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D011809:Quinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D000588:Amines; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001391:Azo Compounds; D002614:Chelating Agents; D005609:Free Radicals; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated; D008670:Metals; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D010636:Phenols; D011809:Quinones; D010100:Oxygen