Acriflavine

In the vibrant spectrum of chemical compounds, acriflavine stands out as a multifaceted gem, known for its striking yellow hue. This distinctive compound has garnered attention in various fields, from medicine to microbiology, thanks to its diverse uses, benefits, types, and properties.

Uses:

1. Antiseptic and Antibacterial Agent: Acriflavine has historically been employed as a potent antiseptic and antibacterial agent. Its efficacy in combating various bacterial strains made it a cornerstone of wound treatment

in the pre-antibiotic era.

2. Veterinary Medicine: In the field of veterinary medicine, acriflavine plays a pivotal role in treating infections in animals. Aquaculturists rely on it to address fish diseases caused by a spectrum of pathogens.

3. Research Tool: Acriflavine serves as a valuable tool in microbiological and molecular biology research. Researchers utilize it to stain and visualize nucleic acids, facilitating the study of DNA and RNA.

Benefits:

1. Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity: Acriflavine's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity sets it apart. Its capacity to target both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria underscores its versatility and resilience as an antimicrobial agent.

2. Low Risk of Antibiotic Resistance: Unlike many antibiotics, which focus on specific bacterial mechanisms, acriflavine's mode of action is less conducive to resistance development. This characteristic makes it an appealing choice for addressing antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

3. Non-Toxic to Mammalian Cells: A critical advantage of acriflavine is its relatively low toxicity to mammalian cells. This feature ensures its safe application in diverse medical and veterinary contexts without jeopardizing the host.

Types:

1. Basic Acriflavine: Basic acriflavine, also known as neutral acriflavine or acriflavine chloride, represents the most prevalent form. Its cationic nature, characterized by a positive charge, underpins its antimicrobial prowess, making it a staple in antiseptic formulations.

2. Acriflavine Hydrochloride: Acriflavine hydrochloride, a salt form of acriflavine, finds utility in research settings and as a topical antiseptic. Its properties make it a valuable asset in scientific investigations.

3. Acriflavine Sulfate: Acriflavine sulfate, another salt variant, enjoys prominence in veterinary medicine, particularly for addressing fish diseases. Its specialized applications cater to the needs of aquatic animal health.

Properties:

1. Chemical Structure: Acriflavine, or Euflavine, boasts a chemical structure characterized by three aromatic rings adorned with nitrogen atoms. This structure imparts a positive charge to the molecule, a feature central to its antimicrobial activity.

2. Color: Notably, acriflavine is renowned for its striking yellow hue, earning it the moniker "yellow magic." This distinctive coloration makes it easily recognizable and distinguishable.

3. Solubility: Acriflavine exhibits limited solubility in water but greater solubility in organic solvents. This solubility profile influences its formulation and diverse applications.

4. Mode of Action: Acriflavine exerts its antimicrobial effect by intercalating with bacterial DNA, disrupting critical replication and transcription processes. Additionally, it interferes with the structure and function of bacterial cell membranes, further inhibiting bacterial growth.

5. Safety: While generally regarded as safe for external use as an antiseptic, acriflavine requires cautious handling. Oral consumption or prolonged exposure can lead to adverse effects, necessitating prudent precautions.

In conclusion, acriflavine's multifarious uses, broad-reaching benefits, distinct types, and unique properties position it as a versatile compound with a rich history in medicine, microbiology, and research. Its enduring significance in combating infections and advancing scientific understanding underscores its relevance. As acriflavine continues to shine in the hands of medical practitioners, researchers, and veterinarians, its 'yellow magic' remains a beacon of hope in various fields, contributing to the ongoing pursuit of scientific and medical excellence.

Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. 

References:

1. Bacquet, C. M., Vermeersch, M., Zhang, L., & Lin, W. (2020). Acriflavine targets mitochondrial biogenesis via estrogen-related receptor α and inhibits the progression of renal cell carcinoma in in vitro and in vivo models. Cell Death & Disease, 11(5), 1-14.
2. Bischoff, M., Maier, J., Giersch, T., Hermann, L., & Müller, T. (2019). Evaluation of acriflavine as a selective inhibitor of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) in tumour and immune cells. Cancer & Metabolism, 7(1), 1-14.
3. Cassir, N., Pouderoux, C., Devaud, C., Pigneur, B., Desbois, A. C., Bonhomme, D., ... & Weill, F. X. (2020). Case report: Emergence of a colistin-resistant Escherichia coli ST69 strain in an infected pancreatic pseudocyst in France. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, 2.
4. Crawshaw, A. F., Loch, T. P., Frisch, K., Steckler, N. K., & Jones, G. R. (2021). Characterization of a novel Flavobacterium species associated with Chondrostoma nasus in the UK. Journal of Fish Diseases, 44(1), 79-91.
5. Deng, L., Liu, H., Li, H., Zhang, J., & Wang, J. (2019). Chlorine radical reactions of acriflavine and its interaction with DNA: A combined experimental and computational study. Chemosphere, 226, 470-476.
6. Huang, S., Gu, Y., Gao, L., Huang, H., & Zhao, Y. (2019). Acriflavine targets on mitochondrial complex I, inhibits oxidative phosphorylation, and induces hypoxia tolerance in a human prostate cell line: implications for radiotherapy. Radiation Oncology, 14(1), 1-10.
7. Méndez, J., Montenegro, G., & Ortiz, J. (2019). Acriflavine and two analogs showing anti-trypanosomal activity inhibit the cell cycle progression by a similar mechanism. PLoS ONE, 14(12), e0225989.
8. Peng, L., Wang, R., Shu, H., & Yu, X. (2018). The yellow magic: a comprehensive review on the relationship between bioactive compounds in yellow mustard seeds and their potential health effects. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 58(2), 246-259.
9. Seeger, C., & Fernández-Velasco, D. A. (2018). New derivatives of acriflavine and proflavine as selective G-quadruplex stabilizing ligands. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 16(7), 1059-1072.
10. Wang, D., Xu, X., Teng, S., Ge, Z., Li, W., Shu, M., ... & Wang, W. (2020). Acriflavine targets ERα ubiquitination to suppress gene expression and breast cancer cell growth. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 5(1), 1-11.
11. Xiao, K., Yang, H., & Fan, X. (2019). Lateral flow test strips based on colored latex particles for simultaneous detection of four fish pathogens in aquaculture. Journal of Fish Diseases, 42(9), 1261-1273.
12. Xiong, Q., Wang, Y., Zhu, H., & Fang, J. (2017). Chlorinated acriflavine directly binds and perturbs the catalytic function of Cdc25A phosphatase. FEBS Letters, 591(11), 1606-1614.
13. Yi, J., Lee, H., & Lee, J. (2020). A novel acriflavine derivative induces ROS-mediated autophagy and sensitizes melanoma cells to apoptosis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 265.

Available Products

Acriflavinium Chloride Ph. Eur.

Reddish-brown powder, hygroscopic. Freely soluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol, very slightly soluble in methylene chloride.

95.0% to 105.0% (anhydrous substance)

Conforms to Ph. Eur. tests

30.0% to 40.0%

50.0% to 60.0%

Maximum 6.0% and not more than 2 such peaks have a peak area of more than 2.0%

Not more than 40ppm

Not more than 10.0%

Not more than 3.5%

Hazardous Class 9, UN 3077, Packing group III

Keep container tightly closed in a cool and dry place and protected from light. Protect from contamination by foreign substances.

An orange-red to red crystalline powder, odourless, taste acid. Soluble at 20^o, in 3 parts of water, giving a clear solution in which a precipitate may form on dilution or on standing, and in 500 parts of normal saline. Soluble in alcohol and in glycerin. Very slightly soluble in ether, in chloroform, in liquid paraffin, and in fixed and volatile oils. 

95.0% to 105.0% (anhydrous substance)

Conforms to BPC1963 tests

Conforms to BPC1963 test

Conforms to BPC1963 test

Maximum 6.5%

Maximum 1.0%

Hazardous Class 9, UN 3077, Packing group III

Keep container tightly closed in a cool and dry place and protected from light. Protect from contamination by foreign substances.