An Investigation into Rigidity-Activity Relationships in BisQAC Amphiphilic Antiseptics

Advances in the Synthesis of Biologically Active Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the design and synthesis of biologically active quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). The covered scope extends beyond commonly reviewed antimicrobial derivatives to include synthetic agents with antifungal, anticancer, and antiviral properties. Additionally, this review highlights examples of quaternary ammonium compounds exhibiting activity against protozoa and herbicidal effects, as well as analgesic and anesthetic derivatives. The article also embraces the quaternary-ammonium-containing cholinesterase inhibitors and muscle relaxants. QACs, marked by their inherent permanent charge, also find widespread usage across diverse domains such as fabric softeners, hair conditioners, detergents, and disinfectants. The effectiveness of QACs hinges greatly on finding the right equilibrium between hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. The ideal length of the alkyl chain varies according to the unique structure of each QAC and its biological settings. It is expected that this review will provide comprehensive data for medicinal and industrial chemists to design and develop novel QAC-based products.

Further Study of the Polar Group's Influence on the Antibacterial Activity of the 3-Substituted Quinuclidine Salts with Long Alkyl Chains

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are among the most potent antimicrobial agents increasingly used by humans as disinfectants, antiseptics, surfactants, and biological dyes. As reports of bacterial co- and cross-resistance to QACs and their toxicity have emerged in recent years, new attempts are being made to develop soft QACs by introducing hydrolyzable groups that allow their controlled degradation. However, the development of such compounds has been hindered by the structural features that affect the bioactivity of QACs, one of them being polarity of the substituent near the quaternary center. To further investigate the influence of the polar group on the bioactivity of QACs, we synthesized 3-aminoquinuclidine salts for comparison with their structural analogues, 3-acetamidoquinuclidines. We found that the less polar amino-substituted compounds exhibited improved antibacterial activity over their more polar amide analogues. In addition to their better minimum inhibitory concentrations, the candidates were excellent at suppressing Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and killing bacteria almost immediately, as shown by the flow cytometry measurements. In addition, two candidates, namely QNH2-C14 and QNH2-C16, effectively suppressed bacterial growth even at concentrations below the MIC. QNH2-C14 was particularly effective at subinhibitory concentrations, inhibiting bacterial growth for up to 6 h. In addition, we found that the compounds targeted the bacterial membrane, leading to its perforation and subsequent cell death. Their low toxicity to human cells and low potential to develop bacterial resistance suggest that these compounds could serve as a basis for the development of new QACs.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 3-Amidoquinuclidine Quaternary Ammonium Compounds as New Soft Antibacterial Agents

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are among the most effective antimicrobial agents that have been used for more than a century. However, due to the growing trend of bacterial resistance and high toxicity of QACs, research in this field remains a pressing matter. Recent studies of the structure-activity relationship suggest that the introduction of the amide functional group into QAC structures results in soft variants that retain their antimicrobial properties while opening the possibility of fine-tuned activity regulation. Here, we report the synthesis and structure-function study of three structurally distinct series of naturally derived soft QACs. The obtained 3-amidoquinuclidine QACs showed a broad range of antibacterial activities related to the hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance of the QAC structures. All three series yielded candidates with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the single-digit μM range. Time-resolved growth analysis revealed subtle differences in the antibacterial activity of the selected candidates. The versatile MIC values were recorded in different nutrient media, suggesting that the media composition may have a dramatic impact on the antibacterial potential. The new QACs were found to have excellent potential to suppress bacterial biofilm formation while exhibiting low ability to induce bacterial resistance. In addition, the selected candidates were found to be less toxic than commercially available QACs and proved to be potential substrates for protease degradation. These data suggest that 3-amidoquinuclidine QACs could be considered as novel antimicrobial agents that pose a low threat to ecosystems and human health.

Antibacterial quaternary ammonium agents: Chemical diversity and biological mechanism

Bacterial infections have seriously threatened public health especially with the increasing resistance and the cliff-like decline of the number of newly approved antibacterial agents. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) possess potent medicinal properties with 95 successfully marketed drugs, which also have a long history as antibacterial agents. In this review, we summarize the chemical diversity of antibacterial QACs, divided into chain-like and aromatic ring, reported over the past decade (2012 to mid-2022). Additionally, the structure-activity relationships, mainly covering hydrophobicity, charges and skeleton features, are discussed. In the cases where sufficient information is available, antibacterial mechanisms including biofilm, cell membrane, and intracellular targets are presented. It is hoped that this review will provide sufficient information for medicinal chemists to discover the new generation of antibacterial agents based on QACs.

New Membrane Active Antibacterial and Antiviral Amphiphiles Derived from Heterocyclic Backbone of Pyridinium-4-Aldoxime

Quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) are irreplaceable membrane-active antimicrobial agents that have been widely used for nearly a century. Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is one of the most potent QAS. However, recent data from the literature indicate that CPC activity against resistant bacterial strains is decreasing. The major QAS resistance pathway involves the QacR dimer, which regulates efflux pump expression. A plausible approach to address this issue is to structurally modify the CPC structure by adding other biologically active functional groups. Here, a series of QAS based on pyridine-4-aldoxime were synthesized, characterized, and tested for antimicrobial activity in vitro. Although we obtained several potent antiviral candidates, these candidates had lower antibacterial activity than CPC and were not toxic to human cell lines. We found that the addition of an oxime group to the pyridine backbone resulted in derivatives with large topological polar surfaces and with unfavorable cLog P values. Investigation of the antibacterial mode of action, involving the cell membrane, revealed altered cell morphologies in terms of corrugated and/or disrupted surface, while 87% of the cells studied exhibited a permeabilized membrane after 3 h of treatment at 4 × minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of the interaction of QacR with a representative candidate showed rapid dimer disruption, whereas this was not observed for QacR and QacR bound to the structural analog CPC. This might explain the lower bioactivity of our compounds, as they are likely to cause premature expression of efflux pumps and thus activation of resistance.

Rigidity-Activity Relationships of bisQPC Scaffolds Against Pathogenic Bacteria

Biscationic quaternary phosphonium compounds (bisQPCs) represent a promising class of antimicrobials, displaying potent activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In this study, we explored the effects of structural rigidity on the antimicrobial activity of QPC structures bearing a two-carbon linker between phosphonium groups, testing against a panel of six bacteria, including multiple strains harboring known disinfectant resistance mechanisms. Using simple alkylation reactions, 21 novel compounds were prepared, although alkene isomerization as well as an alkyne reduction were observed during the respective syntheses. The resulting bisQPC compounds showed strong biological activity, but were hampered by diminished solubility of their iodide salts. One compound (P2P-10,10 I) showed single digit micromolar activity against the entire panel of bacteria. Overall, intriguing biological activity was observed, with more rigid structures displaying better efficacy against Gram-negative strains and less rigid structures demonstrating slightly increased efficacy against S. aureus strains.

Quaternary Phosphonium Compounds: An Examination of Non-Nitrogenous Cationic Amphiphiles That Evade Disinfectant Resistance

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) serve as mainstays in the formulation of disinfectants and antiseptics. However, an over-reliance and misuse of our limited QAC arsenal has driven the development and spread of resistance to these compounds, as well as co-resistance to common antibiotics. Extensive use of these compounds throughout the COVID-19 pandemic thus raises concern for the accelerated proliferation of antimicrobial resistance and demands for next-generation antimicrobials with divergent architectures that may evade resistance. To this end, we endeavored to expand beyond canonical ammonium scaffolds and examine quaternary phosphonium compounds (QPCs). Accordingly, a synthetic and biological investigation into a library of novel QPCs unveiled biscationic QPCs to be effective antimicrobial scaffolds with improved broad-spectrum activities compared to commercial QACs. Notably, a subset of these compounds was found to be less effective against a known QAC-resistant strain of MRSA. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the unique presence of a family of small multiresistant transporter proteins, hypothesized to enable efflux-mediated resistance to QACs and QPCs. Further investigation of this resistance mechanism through efflux-pump inhibition and membrane depolarization assays illustrated the superior ability of P6P-10,10 to perturb the cell membrane and exert the observed broad-spectrum potency compared to its commercial counterparts. Collectively, this work highlights the promise of biscationic phosphonium compounds as next-generation disinfectant molecules with potent bioactivities, thereby laying the foundation for future studies into the synthesis and biological investigation of this nascent antimicrobial class.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) and Ionic Liquids (ILs) as Biocides: From Simple Antiseptics to Tunable Antimicrobials

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) belong to a well-known class of cationic biocides with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. They are used as essential components in surfactants, personal hygiene products, cosmetics, softeners, dyes, biological dyes, antiseptics, and disinfectants. Simple but varied in their structure, QACs are divided into several subclasses: Mono-, bis-, multi-, and poly-derivatives. Since the beginning of the 20th century, a significant amount of work has been dedicated to the advancement of this class of biocides. Thus, more than 700 articles on QACs were published only in 2020, according to the modern literature. The structural variability and diverse biological activity of ionic liquids (ILs) make them highly prospective for developing new types of biocides. QACs and ILs bear a common key element in the molecular structure-quaternary positively charged nitrogen atoms within a cyclic or acyclic structural framework. The state-of-the-art research level and paramount demand in modern society recall the rapid development of a new generation of tunable antimicrobials. This review focuses on the main QACs exhibiting antimicrobial and antifungal properties, commercial products based on QACs, and the latest discoveries in QACs and ILs connected with biocide development.

The mode of antibacterial action of quaternary N-benzylimidazole salts against emerging opportunistic pathogens

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are antimicrobial agents displaying a broad spectrum of activity due to their mechanism of action targeting the bacterial membrane. The emergence of bacterial resistance to QACs, especially in times of pandemics, requires the continuous search for new and potent QACs structures. Here we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of QACs based on imidazole derivative, N-benzylimidazole. The antimicrobial activity was tested against a range of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, both ATCC and clinical isolates, showing varying activities ranging in minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) from as low as 7 ng/mL. The most promising compound, N-tetradecyl derivative (BnI-14), proved to be very potent against bacterial biofilms, even at sub-MIC doses, suggesting interference with the bacterial growth and/or division process. The BnI-14 treatment induces bacterial membrane disruption, as observed by fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy and it also binds to DNA indicating that bacterial membrane might not be the only cellular target of QACs. Most importantly, BnI-14 exhibits low toxicity to healthy human cell lines, suggesting that N-benzylimidazolium-based QACs may be promising new antimicrobial agents.

An Efficient Synthesis of 3-Alkylpyridine Alkaloids Enables Their Biological Evaluation

3-Alkylpyridine alkaloids (3-APAs) isolated from the arctic sponge Haliclona viscosa are a promising group of bioactive marine alkaloids. However, due to limited bioavailability, investigations of their bioactivity have been hampered. Additionally, synthesis of a common intermediate requires the use of protecting groups and harsh conditions. In this work, we developed a simple and concise two-step route to nine different natural and synthetic haliclocyclins. These compounds displayed modest antibiotic activity against several Gram-positive bacterial strains.

Trivalent sulfonium compounds (TSCs): Tetrahydrothiophene-based amphiphiles exhibit similar antimicrobial activity to analogous ammonium-based amphiphiles

Recent advances in the development of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have focused on new structural motifs to increase bioactivity, but significantly less studied has been the change from ammonium- to sulfonium-based disinfectants. Herein, we report the synthesis of structurally analogous series of quaternary ammonium and trivalent sulfonium compounds (TSCs). The bioactivity profiles of these compounds generally mirror each other, and the antibacterial activity of sulfonium-based THT-18 was found to be comparable to the commercial disinfectant, BAC. The development of these compounds presents a new avenue for further study of disinfectants to combat the growing threat of bacterial resistance.

Metallocene QACs: The Incorporation of Ferrocene Moieties into monoQAC and bisQAC Structures

Inspired by the incorporation of metallocene functionalities into a variety of bioactive structures, particularly antimicrobial peptides, we endeavored to broaden the structural variety of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) by the incorporation of the ferrocene moiety. Accordingly, 23 ferrocene-containing mono- and bisQACs were prepared in high yields and tested for activity against a variety of bacteria, including Gram-negative strains and a panel of clinically isolated MRSA strains. Ferrocene QACs were shown to be effective antiseptics with some displaying single-digit micromolar activity against all bacteria tested, demonstrating yet another step in the expansion of structural variety of antiseptic QACs.

Advancements in the Development of Non-Nitrogen-Based Amphiphilic Antiseptics to Overcome Pathogenic Bacterial Resistance

The prevalence of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) as common disinfecting agents for the past century has led bacteria to develop resistance to such compounds. Given the alarming increase in resistant strains, new strategies are required to combat this rise in resistance. Recent efforts to probe and combat bacterial resistance have focused on studies of multiQACs. Relatively unexplored, however, have been changes to the primary atom bearing positive charge in these antiseptics. Here we review the current state of the field of both phosphonium and sulfonium amphiphilic antiseptics, both of which hold promise as novel means to address bacterial resistance.

The wide-spectrum antimicrobial effect of novel N-alkyl monoquaternary ammonium salts and their mixtures; the QSAR study against bacteria

Quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) have been widely used for disinfection purposes because of their low price, high efficacy and low human toxicity for decades. However, precise mechanisms of action nor the powerful versatile agent against all antimicrobial species are known. In this study we have prepared 43 novel N-alkyl monoquaternary ammonium salts including 7 N,N-dialkyl monoquaternary ammonium salts differing bearing alkyl chain either of 12, 14 or 16 carbons. Together with 15 already published QASs we have studied the antimicrobial efficacy of all water-soluble compounds together with standard benzalkonium salts against Gram-positive (G+) and Gram-negative (G-) bacteria, anaerobic spore-forming Cl. difficile, yeasts, filamentous fungi and enveloped Varicella zoster virus (VZV). To address the mechanism of action, lipophilicity seems to be a key parameter which determines antimicrobial efficacy, however, exceptions are likely to occur and therefore QSAR analysis on the efficacy against G+ and G- bacteria was applied. We showed that antibacterial activity is higher when the molecule is larger, more lipophilic, less polar, and contains fewer oxygen atoms, fewer methyl groups bound to heteroatoms or fewer hydrogen atoms bound to polarized carbon atoms. In addition, from an application point of view, we have formulated mixtures, on the basis of obtained efficiency of individual compounds, in order to receive wide-spectrum agent. All formulated mixtures completely eradicated tested G+ and G- strains, including the multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa as well as in case of yeasts. However, effect on A. fumigatus, Cl. difficile and VZV the exposition towards mixture resulted in significant reduction only. Finally, 3 out of 4 formulated mixtures were safer than reference commercial agent based on benzalkonium salts only in the skin irritation test using reconstructed human epidermidis.

Further Investigations into Rigidity-Activity Relationships in BisQAC Amphiphilic Antiseptics

Thirty-six biscationic quaternary ammonium compounds were efficiently synthesized in one step to examine the effect of molecular geometry of two-carbon linkers on antimicrobial activity. The synthesized compounds showed strong antimicrobial activity against a panel of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). While the linker geometry showed only a modest correlation with antimicrobial activity, several of the synthesized bisQACs are promising potential antiseptics due to good antimicrobial activity (MIC≤2 μM) and their higher therapeutic indices compared to previously reported QACs.

Structure-Activity Relationship and Anticancer Profile of Second-Generation Anti-MRSA Synthetic Retinoids

We previously reported the antibacterial activity of CD437, a known antitumor compound. It proved to be a potent antimicrobial agent effective against both growing and persister cells of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Herein, we report the synthesis of a panel of analogs and their effect on both MRSA and cancer cells. The hydrophobic group of the parent compound was varied in steric bulk, and lipid-mimicking analogs were tested. Biological assessment confirmed that the adamantane moiety is the most effective substitution for antibacterial activity, and some preferential action in cancer over MRSA was achieved.

Photoinduced interruption of interannular cooperativity for delivery of cationic guests in water

Photoinduced decarboxylation of two hexaanionic baskets, surrounding a divalent cationic guest, reduced the interannular cooperativity (i.e. multivalency) holding the complex together to result in the release of guests.

More QACs, more questions: Recent advances in structure activity relationships and hurdles in understanding resistance mechanisms

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are a class of antimicrobials that have been around for over a century; nevertheless, they have found continued renewal in the structures to which they can be appended. Ranging from antimicrobial polymers to adding novel modes of action to existing antibiotics, QACs have found ongoing use due to their potent properties. However, resistance against QACs has begun to emerge, and the mechanism of resistance is still only partially understood. In this review, we aim to summarize the current state of the field and what is known about the mechanisms of resistance so that the QACs of the future can be designed to be evermore efficacious and utilized to unearth the remaining mysteries that surround bacteria's resistance to them.

Synthesis and Antibacterial Evaluation of Bis-thiazolium, Bis-imidazolium, and Bis-triazolium Derivatives

Given the worldwide spread of bacterial drug resistance, there is an urgent need to develop new compounds that exhibit potent antibacterial activity and that are unimpaired by this phenomenon. Quaternary ammonium compounds have been used for many years as disinfectants, but recent advances have shown that polycationic derivatives exhibit much stronger activity and are less prone to bacterial resistance than commonly used monocationic compounds. In this sense, we prepared three series of new bis-cationic compounds: bis-thiazoliums, bis-imidazoliums, and bis-1,2,4-triazoliums. If some compounds of the first series showed fair antibacterial activity, most of those belonging to the two other series were highly potent, with minimum inhibitory concentrations close to 1 μg mL^-1 . Some of them also exhibited low toxicity toward eukaryotic MRC-5 lung fibroblasts, and we showed that this toxicity is clearly correlated with clogP. Finally, four selected compounds were found to exhibit a clear bactericidal effect.