Candidate molecules as alternative nitric oxide donors with better antibacterial property against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Aims Four nitric oxide (NO) donors, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), S-nitrosocysteine (CySNO), S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC), and 2-(2-S-nitroso propionamide) acetic acid (GAS) were prepared and their physicochemical characteristics were analyzed. Besides, the antibacterial properties of NO donors were investigated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods and results UV-visible absorption spectrum and Fourier transform infrared spectrum verified the successful preparation of RSNOs. All NO donors (10 mmol l(-1)) could release NO continuously, and the amount of NO release was from 80.22 mu mol l(-1) to 706.63 mu mol l(-1), in which the release of NO from SNAC was the highest, and the release of NO from NaNO2 was the least. The inhibition zone indicated that all NO donors showed stronger antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, and the antibacterial ability was in the order of SNAC > GSNO > CySNO > GAS > NaNO2 for both E. coli and S. aureus (P < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) showed that all NO donors could result in varying degrees of damage to cell wall and membrane of both E. coli and S. aureus and the damage of E. coli was more severe. Conclusion Four alternative NO donors were successfully synthesized. All alternative NO donors showed better antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus than NaNO2.