Synthesis and evaluation of membrane permeabilizing properties of cationic amphiphiles derived from the disaccharide trehalose.

ABSTRACT

Cationic amphiphiles derived from trehalose have been synthesized; trehalose analogues substituted with n-pentyl or n-hexyl ethers exhibited membrane disrupting activities against clinically important Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungi. Our results demonstrate that trehalose is a useful disaccharide scaffold for the development of broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antifungal agents.