Abstract
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. The present report reviews the known and potential basic science reseach and clinical applications and manifestations of benzalkonium salts. Benzalkonium salts have antiproliferative effects on a variety of cells through G-protein-dependent pathways, affect cytokine gene 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 diseases, particulaly those linked to viruses and originating at the skin or mucosal surfaces.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 327-356 |
| Number of pages | 30 |
| Journal | Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 3-6 |
| State | Published - Dec 1 1995 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- bactericide
- cytokines
- Draize test
- fungicide
- human immunodeficiency virus
- natural killer cell cytotoxic activity
- T-cell proliferation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cancer Research
Cite this
Effects of benzalkonium salts on eukaryotic and microbial G-protein-mediated processes and surface membranes. / Patarca, R.; Fletcher, M. A.
In: Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis, Vol. 6, No. 3-6, 01.12.1995, p. 327-356.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of benzalkonium salts on eukaryotic and microbial G-protein-mediated processes and surface membranes
AU - Patarca, R.
AU - Fletcher, M. A.
PY - 1995/12/1
Y1 - 1995/12/1
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. The present report reviews the known and potential basic science reseach and clinical applications and manifestations of benzalkonium salts. Benzalkonium salts have antiproliferative effects on a variety of cells through G-protein-dependent pathways, affect cytokine gene 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 diseases, particulaly those linked to viruses and originating at the skin or mucosal surfaces.
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. The present report reviews the known and potential basic science reseach and clinical applications and manifestations of benzalkonium salts. Benzalkonium salts have antiproliferative effects on a variety of cells through G-protein-dependent pathways, affect cytokine gene 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 diseases, particulaly those linked to viruses and originating at the skin or mucosal surfaces.
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=0029435513&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0029435513&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 9012590
AN - SCOPUS:0029435513
VL - 6
SP - 327
EP - 356
JO - Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis
JF - Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis
SN - 0893-9675
IS - 3-6
ER -