Question

During the discovery of Chlorquine, The antimalarial drug that has been used recently to combat Covid-19, a happy byproduct was discovered, Nalidixic Acid (same family of the drug, Cipro). This compound was discovered to have antibiotic activities. Please detail how Nalidixic acid works as an antibiotic, and also discuss how this compound does not do the same to humans.

Answer 1

Dear student

Nalidixic acid is a synthetic quinolone. It is an antibacterial agent that is administered orally and has effective results against gram negative bacteria. These are thereby used to treat urinary tract infections. This drug finds and binds to the donor bacteria and prevents the genetic transfer. Hence, it is also regared as the effective inhibitor of DNA synthesis in the cell.

Now if we focus, on how it mainly acts, we would see that this drug inhibits the action of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Thus promoting formation of cleavage complexes.

Over consumption of this drug might lead to side effects. And hence should be consumed with doctors advise only.

I hope that this was of some help. Put a like if I sound lucid. For further questions please comment below.

Best wishes.