Compounds having a broad range of antimicrobial activity generally have a structure including asteroid nucleus with a cationic, preferably polyamine, side chain (X) and an anionic side chain (Y). The invention is also directed to compounds of the Formula III: ##STR1## preferably where the steroid ring nucleus is saturated; the steroid ring substituent Z.sub.5 is .alpha.-H; one Z.sub.7 is .beta.-H and the other is .alpha.-H or .alpha.-OH; both substituents Z.sub.12 are hydrogen; X' is a polyamine side chain of the formula --NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p --NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.q --N(R.sup.II)(R.sup.III) where p and q are each independently 3 or 4, and R.sup.II and R.sup.III are each independently hydrogen or methyl; R' is methyl; and Y' is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)-alkyl substituted with a group such as --CO.sub.2 H or --SO.sub.3 H.
具有广泛抗微
生物活性的化合物通常具有包括阳离子侧链(X)和阴离子侧链(Y)的类
固醇核心的结构。该发明还涉及以下式III的化合物:##STR1## 最好是类
固醇环核饱和;类
固醇环取代基Z.sub.5为α-H;一个Z.sub.7为β-H,另一个为α-H或α-OH;两个取代基Z.sub.12为氢;X'是具有式--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p --NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.q --N(R.sup.II)(R.sup.III)的
多胺侧链,其中p和q各自独立地为3或4,R.sup.II和R.sup.III各自独立地为氢或甲基;R'为甲基;Y'为(C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)烷基,取代有--CO.sub.2 H或--SO.sub.3 H等基团。