Antiseptic action

Bacteria and yeasts are killed by quinine but require a higher concentration (2 to 8 1000) than do the protozoa. The efficiency is not materially hindered by serum or pus. 

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Watts (1979), while agreeing that bacterial contamination plays an important role in causing irritation to tissues, showed that a silicate cement even under germ-free conditions produced tissue damage. Of course, the acidic dental silicate cement does not possess the antiseptic action of the alkaline cements. 

Not surprisingly, peyote enjoyed a brief period of use as a cardiac tonic. Recently, one of its alkaloids, hordenine, has been credited with antiseptic action against a wide spectrum of microorganisms. 

Sulfur dioxide is used widely in the wine industry as a sanitizing agent and antioxidant (46,47,48). In the pH range of 3.0 to 5.0, a slight decrease in pH increases the antiseptic action of sulfur dioxide (49, 50, 51). 

The potassium salt K[Fe4S3(NO)7] was many years ago shown to exhibit bacteriostatic action against a range of microorganisms, including both aerobic and anaerobic types (130-132) its antiseptic action was shown (130) to provide a good disinfectant of contaminated drinking water. 

In addition, iodine is also used for the manufacture of dyes and as a germicide. Simple iodine derivatives of hydrocarbons, such as iodoform (CHI3), have an antiseptic action. Organic compounds containing iodine have been used as rubber emulsifiers, chemical antioxidants, and dyes and pigments. 

Nencki introduced salol in 1886 and. so pre.sented to the science of therapy the "salol principle." In salol. two toxic sub.stances (phenol and salicylic acid) were combined into an e.ster that taken internally slowly hydroly/es in the intestine to give the antiseptic action of its components. This type of ester is referred to as a full. salol or true salol when toth components of the ester are active compounds. Examples are guaiacol benzoate. /3-naphthol benzoate, and salol. The salol principle can be applied to esters in which only the alcohol or the acid is the toxic, active or corrosive portion this type is called a partial salol. Examples of partial sulols that contain an active acid arc ethyl salicylate and methyl salicylate. Examples of partial sulols that contain an active phenol are creosote carbonate, thymol carbonate, and guaiacol carbonate. Althtxigh many. salol-typc compounds have been prepared and used tu. some extent, none is presently... 

Salicylic acid (1) is not employed internally as an analgesic due to its local irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It is employed externally on the skin, where it exerts a slight antiseptic action and a marked keratolytic action. The latter property makes salicylic acid a beneficial agent in the local treatment of warts, corns, fungous infections, and certain forms of eczematoid dermatitis. Tissues cells swell, softer, and ultimately desquamate. Salicylic acid is applied as a 2 to 20% concentration in collodion, lotions, or ointments, and as a 10 to 40% concentration in plasters. Salicylic acid plaster is used for the destructive effect of salicylic acid on hardened, keratinized tissue. The so-called corn plaster are typical. 

Denaturing agents can destroy the tertiary structure of proteins. Alcohol s antiseptic action results from denaturing of bacterial proteins. Corrosives can cause tissue damage upon accidental exposure. 

The antiseptic derivatives of phenol have structural modifications (halogenation and alkylation) that, by increasing their liposolubility, improve their antiseptic action. 

The medicinal use of mercurials can also be traced back over 3000 years. They were used by Discorides Pedanius and Pliny as a treatment for syphilis and various skin disorders (Farler 1952). During the eighth and eleventh centuries, Mesue, Rhazas, and Avicenna are also reported to have used mercurial ointments as medicines (Magos 1975). In 1881, the antiseptic action of HgCl2 was demonstrated, and between 1900 and 1920 mercurials were introduced for diuretic... 

Phenol was the first antiseptic used, and a thorough study of its derivatives has been made. The substitution of a methyl group for the hydrogen in the ring of phenol, forming the cresols, increases the antiseptic action. 

Taurocholic acid when present in the proportion of 0.2 to 0.5 per cent prevents the putrefaction of a mixture of muscular tissue and pancreas, as well as lactic and alcoholic fermentations. Glyoo-cholic acid is much less active. This antiseptic power is possessed only by the tree acids, not by their salts, hence bile putrefies readily, if neutral or alkaline. But the acidity of the chyme in the intestine, which persists for quite a distance from the pylorus, by liberating the acids, permits of their exerting their antiseptic action and thus retarding pancreatic putrefaction. 

It is used loeally for its antiseptic action in inflammations of nose and throat. It is also used by inhalation in bronehitis. 

Though they have similar antibacterial and antiseptic action, the wormwoods are bitter and increase secretions in the body. The sages are tasty and decrease secretions. 

The importance of the dilution issue is especially pronounced in testing of iodophor products. The antiseptic action of iodophor relies on the free iodine released from, for example, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer in an aqueous environment. A 10% PVP-I solution, for example, has 1% available iodine, but only releases approximately 1 ppm free iodine. However, it is the free iodine that is responsible for the antisepsis [5]. Dilution of PVP-I from 10- to 100-fold dilution controversially results in a greater concentration of free iodine and thus more effective antisepsis, creating a bias, which overestimates the true product efficacy [6,7]. 

Mercurials. Mercurials, such as mercuric chloride and phenyl mercuric nitrate, exert their antiseptic action on bacteria by combining with essential SH... 

Eucalyptus essential oil is obtained from the Australian tree Eucalyptus sp. that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It has been known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic action for hundreds of years (Batish et al., 2008). Toxicity of eucalyptus essential oil toward S. oryzae was reported by Lee et al. (2001), and it proves to be a promising fumigant to control that pest. Lee et al. (2004) reported in another study that several Eucalyptus species were toxic to S. oryzae E. nicholii, E. codonocarpa, and E. blakelyi. The same species cause mortality in T. castaneum and R. dominica. 

Fuzikawa, H. (1939). The antiseptic action of phenols, phenolcarboxylic acids and the esters of lichen substances. VI. The antiseptic action of orcinol-carboxylic ester on soy cauce. J. Pharm. Soc. Jap. 59, 615-616. 

Zinc oxide occurs in nature as the mineral zincite, and can be prepared from zinc metal by vaporization and oxidation. It can also be prepared from franklinite or zinc sulfide. It is a very fine, odorless, amorphous, white or yellowish white powder. Zinc oxide has a mild astringent, protective and antiseptic action, and is usually formulated into ointment, paste or lotion vehicles. It is used widely in the treatment of dry skin and disorders such as acne vulgaris, prickly heat, insect bites, ivy poisioning, diaper rash, seborreha, impetigo, and psoriasis. It is also contained in some simscreens. 

When the concentration of HCl is low, its antiseptic action is weak, and secondary fermentations are liable to occur in the stomach. These are due to organisms swallowed along with the food, and the usual end-products are butyric acid and lactic acid (derived from carbohydrates). Butyric acid causes the characteristic sour smell of regurgitated gastric contents lactic acid has no odour. 

IF the skins hang in dry air, then the water is allowed to evaporate until the glycerine is so concentrated that no more water escapes the whole tissue of the skin is now so impregnated with glycerine that it will always remain supple, and is thoroughly protected against decay by the strong antiseptic action of the boric acid. 

Mercurials. Mercurials, such as mercuric chloride and phenyl mercuric nitrate, exert their antiseptic action on bacteria by combining with essential SH groups (Fildes, 1940b). The bacteria appear to be dead, but are easily revived by treatment with a thiol such as thioglycollic acid or even hydrogen sulphide (Chick, 1908). 

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