Cationic Anthraquinone Analogs as Selective Antimicrobials

Antibacterial activities of anthraquinones: structure-activity relationships and action mechanisms

With the increasing prevalence of untreatable infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the discovery of new drugs from natural products has become a hot research topic. The antibacterial activity of anthraquinones widely distributed in traditional Chinese medicine has attracted much attention. Herein, the structure and activity relationships (SARs) of anthraquinones as bacteriostatic agents are reviewed and elucidated. The substituents of anthraquinone and its derivatives are closely related to their antibacterial activities. The stronger the polarity of anthraquinone substituents is, the more potent the antibacterial effects appear. The presence of hydroxyl groups is not necessary for the antibacterial activity of hydroxyanthraquinone derivatives. Substitution of di-isopentenyl groups can improve the antibacterial activity of anthraquinone derivatives. The rigid plane structure of anthraquinone lowers its water solubility and results in the reduced activity. Meanwhile, the antibacterial mechanisms of anthraquinone and its analogs are explored, mainly including biofilm formation inhibition, destruction of the cell wall, endotoxin inhibition, inhibition of nucleic acid and protein synthesis, and blockage of energy metabolism and other substances.

Research Advances on the Bioactivity of 1,2,3-Triazolium Salts

1,2,3-Triazolium salts have demonstrated significant potential in the fields of medicine and agriculture, exhibiting exceptional antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antileishmanial properties. Moreover, these salts can be utilized as additives or components to produce nano- and fiber-based materials with antibacterial properties. In this review, we summarize several synthetic strategies to obtain 1,2,3-triazolium salts and the structures of 1,2,3-triazolium derivatives with biological activities in the domains of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and functional materials. Additionally, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of 1,2,3-triazolium salts with different biological activities has been analyzed. Finally, this review presents the potential applications and prospects of 1,2,3-triazolium salts in the fields of agriculture, medicine, and industrial synthesis.