Boron cluster compounds as new chemical leads for antimicrobial therapy

Abstract

Boron cluster compounds are inorganic compounds with chemical compositions and structures vastly different from those of organic compounds, albeit with the ability to form a rich family of molecules. Boron cluster compounds are 3-dimensional, aromatic compounds with 3-center-2-electron (3c2e) bonds (e.g., B–B–B and B–B–C). They are not found in living organisms, which explains the lack of enzymatic systems capable of metabolizing boron cluster compounds and their high biological stability. In addition, boron cluster compounds and organic compounds interact with components of biological systems, such as lipid membranes and proteins, through different mechanisms. As a result, derivatives of boron cluster compounds show the same efficacy against standard and multi-drug resistant strains of pathogens. Moreover, they show anti-biofilm activity and are less prone to trigger drug resistance. In conclusion, boron cluster compounds have the potential to become new chemical leads in antimicrobial therapy because their derivatives show promising antimicrobial activity and low sensitivity to both genetic and phenotypic mechanisms of pathogen resistance.