Dequalinium

Dequalinium has multiple modes of action. Dequalinium absorbs into the bacterial cell surface and diffuses through the cell wall, disrupting bacterial cell permeability. It is taken up by the bacteria rapidly. Once in the bacteria, dequalinium denatures proteins involved in the respiratory chain and glycolysis of bacteria, interfering with bacterial cell metabolism and ribosomal protein synthesis. By inhibiting bacterial F1-ATPase, dequalinium inhibits mitochondrial ATP synthesis and blocks glucose metabolism. These molecular actions ultimately deplete bacterial energy sources. As dequalinium accumulates in the mitochondria, it is considered a mitochondrial poison.

Dequalinium can also precipitate nucleic acids, as it can intercalate one of its quinoline chromophores between DNA base pairs. Depending on the drug concentration, dequalinium can lyse the bacterial cell by promoting osmotic imbalance.