Alcohols membrane-active agents

Membrane-active microbicides include alcohols - phenols - acids- saHcylanilides - carbanOides - dibenzamidines -biguanides - quaternary ammonium salts and other active ingredients with cationic character, e.g. azole fungicides which also act as chelate formers. As many of the antimicrobial agents which are able to complex metal cations display membrane-activity, they will be considered here as membrane-active microbicides. 

Isopropyl alcohol is used to rinse the ear canal in patients prone to the development of external otitis. It is commonly applied after swimming as a prophylactic measure. Although isopropyl alcohol has broad bactericidal activity, it is widely used as a drying agent for the external ear canal. It displaces water left in the ear canal after swimming. Application into the middle ear space causes severe pain, and it should not be used in the presence of a perforated tympanic membrane. 

Inositol phosphates phosphate esters of the cyclic alcohol myo-inositol. They are found in the plasma membrane as components of phospholipids known as phosphatidyl inositols. Inositol 1,4,5-truphosphate (InsP]) is released from phosphatidylinositol-43-hplasma membrane by a variety of membrane receptors for hormones or neu-rotransmitters when the receptors are occupied. InsPj appears to be the active species responsible for the release of Ca which follows stimulation of the cell it is thus a second messenger (see Hormones, Caldum) for such agents as acetylcholine, vasopressin, substance P and epidermal growth factor (see Peptide hormones). 

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