TY - JOUR
T1 - Benzalkonium salts
T2 - Effects on G protein-mediated processes and surface membranes
AU - Patarca, Roberto
AU - Rosenzweig, Jason A.
AU - Zuniga, Alicia A.
AU - Fletcher, Mary Ann
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Benzalkonium salts comprise a group of positively charged surface-active alkylamine biocides with the general formula alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride or bromide. They interact with guanine nucleotide triphosphate-binding proteins (G proteins), thereby affecting signal transduction in a variety of cell types and processes. This article reviews the known and potential basic science research and clinical applications and manifestations of benzalkonium salts. Benzalkonium salts have antiproliferative effects on a variety of cells (including T cells) through G protein - dependent pathways, affect cytokine gene expression (downregulate tumor necrosis factor expression), and are also effective bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal agents with multisite (direct and immunologically mediated) inhibitory activity against many pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), papillomavirus, and herpesviruses. Therefore, benzalkonium salts not only appear to be effective as disinfectants and spermicides but may also prove useful in the prevention and treatment of neoplasias and other disease, particularly those linked to viruses and originating at the skin or mucosal surface.
AB - Benzalkonium salts comprise a group of positively charged surface-active alkylamine biocides with the general formula alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride or bromide. They interact with guanine nucleotide triphosphate-binding proteins (G proteins), thereby affecting signal transduction in a variety of cell types and processes. This article reviews the known and potential basic science research and clinical applications and manifestations of benzalkonium salts. Benzalkonium salts have antiproliferative effects on a variety of cells (including T cells) through G protein - dependent pathways, affect cytokine gene expression (downregulate tumor necrosis factor expression), and are also effective bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal agents with multisite (direct and immunologically mediated) inhibitory activity against many pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), papillomavirus, and herpesviruses. Therefore, benzalkonium salts not only appear to be effective as disinfectants and spermicides but may also prove useful in the prevention and treatment of neoplasias and other disease, particularly those linked to viruses and originating at the skin or mucosal surface.
KW - Bactericide
KW - Cytokines
KW - Draize test
KW - Fungicide
KW - Human immunodeficiency virus
KW - Natural killer cell cytotoxic activity
KW - T-cell proliferation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034445422&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0034445422&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1615/critrevoncog.v11.i34.30
DO - 10.1615/critrevoncog.v11.i34.30
M3 - Review article
C2 - 11358269
AN - SCOPUS:0034445422
VL - 11
SP - 255
EP - 305
JO - Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis
JF - Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis
SN - 0893-9675
IS - 3-4
ER -