title: Antifungal activity of gemini quaternary ammonium salts.
abstract: A series of gemini quaternary ammonium chlorides and bromides with various alkyl chain and spacer lengths was synthesized. The most active compounds against fungi were chlorides with 10 carbon atoms within the hydrophobic chain. Among these compounds were few with no hemolytic activity at minimal inhibitory concentrations. None of the tested compounds were cytotoxic and mutagenic. Cationic gemini surfactants poorly reduced the adhesion of microorganisms to the polystyrene plate, but inhibited the filamentation of Candida albicans. One of the tested compounds eradicated C. albicans and Rodotorula mucilaginosa biofilm, what could be important in overcoming catheter-associated infections. It was also shown that gemini surfactants enhanced the sensitivity of C. albicans to azoles and polyenes, thus they might be potentially used in combined therapy against fungi.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: ewa.oblak@microb.uni.wroc.pl.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Obłąk
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piecuch
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krasowska
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luczyński
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006461:Hemolysis; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D059645:Mutation Rate; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012248:Rhodotorula / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
keywords: Candia albicans; Gemini quaternary ammonium salts; Gemini-QAS (bis-QAS); Saccharomyces cerevisiae; gemini quaternary ammonium salt