Low-toxicity amphiphilic molecules linked by an aromatic nucleus show broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low drug resistance

Amphiphilic molecules linked by an aromatic nucleus were developed that showed high selectivity toward bacteria over mammalian cells, and low drug resistance. A promising compound 4g exhibited strong bactericidal activity against a panel of sensitive and resistant bacteria, low toxicity, the ability to reduce cell viability in biofilms, stability in mammalian fluids, rapid killing of pathogens, and high in vivo efficacy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).