Ionene polymers and their use as antimicrobial agents

Abstract

Disclosed are ionene polymers having antimicrobial activity. “Ionene polymers” as used in this invention are cationic polymers in which a substantial proportion of the atoms providing the positive charge are quaternized nitrogens located in the main polymeric chain or backbone of the polymer rather than in pendant groups. Also disclosed are antimicrobial compositions comprising ionene polymers and methods for treating microbial infections in mammals comprising the step of administering to a mammal, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one antimicrobial composition of the invention. Also disclosed are antimicrobial compositions comprising at least one ionene polymer and methods for preventing, inhibiting or eliminating the growth, dissemination, and/or the accumulation of microorganisms on a susceptible surface (including, but not limited to, the formation of biofilms on a susceptible surface) comprising the step of contacting such surface with a composition of the invention.

1 . A polymer or copolymer characterized by a repeat unit having the formula:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkylene or lower alkylene glycol group; x is an integer from 1-4; and y is an integer from 2-5.  
   
   
       2 . The compound of  claim 1 , wherein Z is an unsubstituted lower alkylene or lower alkylene glycol group, x is 1 and y is 2.  
   
   
       3 . The compound of  claim 1 , wherein x is 1 and y is 3.  
   
   
       4 . The compound of  claim 1 , wherein x is 1 and y is 4.  
   
   
       5 . The compound of  claim 1 , wherein; x is 1 and y is 5.  
   
   
       6 . The compound of  claim 1 , wherein the polymers or copolymers comprise repeat units of formulas XIII and XIV.  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       7 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a physiologically acceptable diluent or carrier and a polymer or copolymer characterized by a repeat unit having the formula:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkylene or lower alkylene glycol group; x is an integer from 1-4; and y is an integer from 2-5.  
   
   
       8 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein Z is an unsubstituted lower alkylene or lower alkylene glycol group, x is 1 and y is 2.  
   
   
       9 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein x is 1 and y is 3.  
   
   
       10 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein x is 1 and y is 4.  
   
   
       11 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein; x is 1 and y is 5.  
   
   
       12 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein the polymers and copolymers comprise repeat units of formulas XIII and XIV.  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       13 . A method of treating a microbial infection in a mammal comprising the step of administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer or copolymer characterized by a repeat unit having the formula:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkylene or lower alkylene glycol group; x is an integer from 1-4; and y is an integer from 2-5.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein Z is an unsubstituted lower alkylene or lower alkylene glycol group, x is 1 and y is 2.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein x is 1 and y is 3.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein x is 1 and y is 4.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein; x is 1 and y is 5.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the polymers and copolymers comprise repeat units of formulas XIII and XIV.  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       19 . A method of inhibiting the growth of a microorganism on a surface comprising the step of contacting said surface with an effective amount of a polymer or copolymer characterized by a repeat unit having the formula:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkylene or lower alkylene glycol group; x is an integer from 1-4; and y is an integer from 2-5.