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ANTIMICROBIAL ACTION OF NITROGEN-CONTAINING STEROIDS

Department of Microbiology, Schools of Dentistry and Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland

ABSTRACT

SMITH, RODNEY F. (University of Maryland, Baltimore), DONALD E. SHAY, AND NORMAN J. DOORENBOS. Antimicrobial action of nitrogen-containing steroids. J. Bacteriol. 85:1295–1299. 1963.—A new group of 16 synthetic nitrogen-containing steroids have been tested against a variety of microorganisms for antimicrobial properties. The gradient plate screening method, serial dilution, and dry weight techniques were used in the studies. The organisms tested consisted of 14 gram-negative bacteria, 10 gram-positive bacteria, 2 actinomycetes, 7 yeasts, and 8 molds. Inhibitory properties were found to be specific and potent in four compounds, with inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.37 µg/ml. Three of the active steroids are 4-aza cholestanes and one is a 4-nor-3,5-secocholestane amide. Sensitivity to the compounds was greatest in the gram-positive bacteria, followed by the yeasts and molds. The gram-negative bacteria were not inhibited. All 16 steroids interfered to some extent with pigmentation in Serratia marcescens but not with pigment production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In a few instances, some of the molds were stimulated by the steroids at a concentration of 250 µg/ml.