Degradable gemini quaternary ammonium salts for wound sterilization: an antibiotic-free strategy

Bacterial infected wounds can lead to inflammation, chronic complications and even death if left untreated. In 2019, common bacterial infections were the second leading cause of death worldwide, contributing to one in eight deaths worldwide. Therefore, disinfection of the wound area is particularly important, and the traditional method is to use antibiotics for treatment. However, after a long-term unscientific use of antibiotics, bacteria have developed resistance, and the efficacy of antibiotics has become much lower than before. In our previous work, gemini quaternary ammonium salts (GQASs) were used as a promising alternative to antibiotics for disinfection of water bodies. In this work, we have selected a series of GQASs with relatively good bactericidal ability and toxicity for daily disinfection of bacterial infected wounds in mice. Among them, Q_14-4-14 can promote wound healing while clearing bacterial infection and exhibits appropriate biotoxicity and very low hemolysis at corresponding concentrations. Overall, Q_14-4-14 is a promising disinfectant that promotes skin regeneration and eliminates bacterial infections without the need for additional light exposure or complex systems, providing a simple antibiotic-free strategy for treating skin wounds.