Non-antimicrobial properties of tetracyclines - dental and medical implications

ABSTRACT

The tetracyclines are a group of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. The first of these compounds, chlortetracycline was isolated from Streptomyces aureofaciens by Benjamin Duggar and introduced into the market in 1948. In 1952, tetracycline was derived semisynthetically from chlortetracycline by removal of its chlorine atom by catalytic hydrogenation. Methacycline, doxycycline and minocycline are all semi-synthetic derivatives. The tetracyclines are closely congeneric derivatives of polycyclic napthacenecarboxamide. The tetracyclines posses a wide range of antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In vitro, these drugs are primarily bacteriostatic. Tetracycline have been used extensively as antimicrobial, chemically modified non-antimicrobial properties by Golub. The tetracyclines and their non-antimicrobial, chemically modified analogues have properties that appear to modulate host response by inhibiting the activity of the matrix metalloproteinases that cause collagen destruction. They also inhibit osteoclast function, stimulate osteoblastic bone formation, and regulate angiogenesis.(Au)