title: Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of dobutamine hydrochloride.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of a cardiovascular drug dobutamine hydrochloride.
  
  
  METHODS
  The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of dobutamine was determined both by agar and broth dilution methods against 331 strains of bacteria from three gram positive and 13 gram negative genera. The antibacterial action of dobutamine was further tested in animal models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dobutamine was seen to possess powerful inhibitory action (5-200mg/mL) against most test bacteria in in vitro studies. It was bacteriostatic in nature. In vivo studies showed that the drug offered significant protection (p< 0.001) to mice challenged with a virulent bacterium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dobutamine showed remarkable antibacterial property against several pathogenic bacteria. Its potential as an antibacterial agent may be confirmed after further pharmacological studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkota - 700 032, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Dastidar