Novel Antibiotic-like Medicines Reported to Alabama Scientists

Novel Antibiotic-like Medicines Reported to Alabama Scientists

If you wish to learn more about this research, contact Dr. Norman J. Doorenbos, Ph.D., FAAAS, FMDAS, FIOF Professor, at 414 Walker Building, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University,Alabama, 36849.(334) 844-8330 phone. (334) 844-8331 fax. Email: doorenj@auburn.edu

rofessor Norman J. Doorenbos, of the HSOP Department of Pharmacal Sciences, recently presented a report on the discovery of novel medicines which are lethal to disease causing bacteria and fungi. He presented his findings at the annual meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science held on the campus of Jacksonville State University. These novel medicines are synthetic and hence not described as antibiotics. They are azasteroids, unusual nitrogen-containing steroids not found in nature. Dr. Doorenbos developed methods for preparing such substances. He reported the first azasteroids in 1959, which included antiandrogens and led to the development of several medicines in current use. Doorenbos reported that NO-497, one of these new medicines, was more active against Staphylococcus aureus than tetracycline hydrochloride, neomycin sulfate, erythromycin, streptomycin sulfate or polymyxin B sulfate. He listed 25 different bacteria and fungi found to be affected by these new medicines at concentrations of one part per million.