Influence of various surfactants on the antimicrobial activity of bromsalans and other ring‐halogenated substances

Abstract

Test methods used in the assessment of activity are discussed, utilizing the gradient plate dilution technique of Curry (1) for screening work. The various classes of surfactants studied included anionics, nonionics, amphoterics, and cationics. A study was made in vitro of the influence of these surface‐active agents on five antimicrobial agents. Based upon these tests it appears that, in general, Temasepts I, II, and IV show greater activity and a broader spectrum than G‐11 and TCC. This is particularly evident in the presence of conventional soap and the newer non‐soap bars. An interesting pattern of results was observed when nonionic BC720 was used in the system. All of the antimicrobial agents were equal in activity againstStaphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, andCandida albicans, but Temasept I showed the highest activity againstPityrosporum ovale andAspergillus niger, with TCC occupying an intermediate position. The cationic vehicles alone, in addition to any possible enhancement of the ring‐halogenated aromatics, contribute significantly in the system to inhibit all of the test strains. With the amphoteric vehicles, the antimicrobial agents for the most part were equally effective, with G‐11 being slightly less effective. In striking contrast, the three Temasepts showed far greater activity againstP. ovale, C. albicans, andA. niger, especially in Miranol CS. The data presented may be utilized for the formulation of fabric softeners, and the tests employed aid in the selection of the proper surfactant for textile and skin applications. The work demonstrates that in any technical appraisal of the antimicrobial potency of a compound, the influence of the surfactant vehicle is of paramount importance.

The Antifungal Potential of Niclosamide and Structurally Related Salicylanilides

“…Dibromsalan (temasept I) and tribromsalan (temasept IV) showed similar activities against C. albicans , while dibromsalan was more active against Pityrosporum ovale and Aspergillus niger ( Table 2 ). The activity of dibromsalan and tribromsalan against A. niger , C. albicans , and P. ovale was significantly enhanced upon formulation with the cationic vehicle Miranol CS ( Table 2 ) [ 16 ]. Tribromsalan inhibited C. albicans growth at a concentration of 20 µM but showed only low inhibition of C. albicans filamentation ( Table 2 ) [ 51 ].…”

“…Thus, it is currently not available as a human drug in the USA. In the 1950s, other salicylanilide-based bromsalans (e.g., tribromsalan) were developed as antibacterial and antifungal disinfectants, which also turned out to be molluscicidal [ 16 , 17 ]. The salicylanilides closantel, resorantel, oxyclozanide, clioxanide, and rafoxanide are proven anthelmintic drugs, which are applied in veterinary medicine, e.g., for the therapy of worm infections in cattle and sheep [ 18 , 19 ].…”