Steroids as antibacterials

Area of Science:

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• The literature on steroid antibacterials is fragmented, despite early research.
• Steroidal compounds have demonstrated antibacterial properties, yet few are clinically utilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To consolidate fragmented research on steroidal compounds as antibacterials.
• To assess the utility, structural features, origins, toxicities, and metabolic pathways of steroid antibacterials.
• To explore the potential of steroid antibacterials for future drug development and repurposing.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing studies on steroid antibacterials.
• Analysis of structural features, biosynthetic/synthetic origins, and antibacterial toxicities.
• Examination of fungal biotransformations and catabolic pathways in the human host.

Main Results:

• Identified steroid antibacterials from fungal origins, synthetic compounds, and approved drugs.
• Fusidane steroids of fungal origin exhibit low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
• Fusidic acid is the sole currently prescribed steroid antibacterial, despite numerous steroids showing antibacterial activity.

Conclusions:

• Steroids, particularly fusidane derivatives, possess significant potential as future antibacterial agents.
• Understanding bacterial interactions with steroids and host metabolism is crucial for development.
• Biotechnological approaches using fungi offer a promising avenue for producing novel antibacterial steroids.