Bile salts: natural detergents for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Abstract

The development of new, safe, topical microbicides for intravaginal use for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases is imperative. Previous studies have suggested that bile salts may inhibit human immunodeficiency virus infection; however, their activities against other sexually transmitted pathogens have not been reported. To further explore the potential role of bile salts in preventing sexually transmitted diseases, we examined the in vitro activities and cytotoxicities of select bile salts against Chlamydia trachomatis, herpes simplex virus (types 1 and 2), Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and human immunodeficiency virus in comparison to those of nonoxynol-9 and benzalkonium chloride using both primary cells and cell lines derived from the human female genital tract. We found that taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate and a combination of glycocholic acid and taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate showed excellent activity against all of the pathogens assayed. Moreover, taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate alone or in combination was less cytotoxic than nonoxynol-9 and benzalkonium chloride. Thus, taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate alone or in combination warrants further evaluation as a candidate topical microbicidal agent.

• Authors: B C Herold, R Kirkpatrick, D Marcellino, A Travelstead, V Pilipenko, H Krasa, J Bremer, L J Dong, M D Cooper
• Journal: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy (Antimicrob Agents Chemother) Vol. 43 Issue 4 Pg. 745-51 (Apr 1999) ISSN: 0066-4804 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10103175 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Bile Acids and Salts
• Detergents
• Gastrointestinal Agents
• taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate
• Taurolithocholic Acid
• Glycocholic Acid

Topics

• Bile Acids and Salts (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Chlamydia Infections (prevention & control)
• Chlamydia trachomatis (drug effects)
• Detergents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Drug Synergism
• Gastrointestinal Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Glycocholic Acid (pharmacology)
• Gonorrhea (prevention & control)
• HeLa Cells (drug effects)
• Humans
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae (drug effects)
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (microbiology, prevention & control)
• Taurolithocholic Acid (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)