Relationship between the antibacterial and immunological activities of houttuyfonate homologues and their surface activities.

Based on the microbial model (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and the experiment of mouse carbon granular clearance, the relationship between antibacterial and immunological activities of houttuyfonate (HOU) homologues and their surface activities were studied. The results showed that with elongating the carbon chain of HOU homologues, the surface activities and bacteriostasis and immunological activities would be increased. It is suggested that the pharmacological effect of HOU homologues could be realized by the hydrophobic interaction between HOU homologues and membrane proteins of bacteria and cell.