Synthesis, antifungal and haemolytic activity of a series of bis(pyridinium)alkanes.

A series of bis(pyridinium)alkanes have been prepared and their antifungal activity, haemolytic activity and ability to inhibit fungal phospholipase B1 have been investigated, together with those of the commercially available antiseptics octenidine and dequalinium. Removal of the amino substituents from the pyridinium rings resulted in a significant decrease in antifungal activity. However, shortening or removing the alkyl chains attached to the amino groups had little effect on antifungal activity and significantly reduced haemolytic activity. Only octenidine was a strong inhibitor of fungal phospholipase B1.