S. Cohen, T.O. Sedgwick, et al.
MRS Proceedings 1983
Synthetic polymeric antimicrobials have received enormous attention recently on the back of increasing multidrug-resistance microbes. While conventional small molecular antibiotics act on specific targets to inhibit microbe activities, macromolecular antimicrobials physically destroy cell membranes of the organism rendering them ineffective; the mechanism of the latter aids in the prevention of developing drug-resistance microbes. In this investigation, we report on the synthesis of biodegradable cationic polycarbonates containing propyl and hexyl side chains quaternized with various nitrogen-containing heterocycles, such as imidazoles and pyridines, and their in vitro antimicrobial application. These polymers demonstrate a wide spectrum of activity (using minimum inhibitory concentrations analysis) against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative), and Candida albicans (fungus). Hemolysis experiments also show high selectivity toward the tested microbes over mammalian (rat) red blood cells (rRBCs). In particular, some of the polymers can achieve >250 times selectivity of S. aureus over rRBCs. In addition, the polymers function via a membrane-lytic mechanism; hence, they are less likely to develop drug resistance. All these properties make them ideal candidates as antimicrobial agents. © 2014 American Chemical Society.
S. Cohen, T.O. Sedgwick, et al.
MRS Proceedings 1983
Arvind Kumar, Jeffrey J. Welser, et al.
MRS Spring 2000
A. Reisman, M. Berkenblit, et al.
JES
J.H. Kaufman, Owen R. Melroy, et al.
Synthetic Metals