What is sulfanilamide?

sulfanilamide is a medicinal compound used to protect against certain bacterial infections. It is often used in the form of a local cream or powder to treat surface infections and a pill for internal infections. It falls into the category of sulfonamide antibacterial drugs and its chemical formula is c _{6 h 8 n 2 2}

sulfanilamide Works as an antibiotic by preventing the growth of bacteria in the body. Like other sulfonamide compounds, its mechanism includes blocking a specific chemical pathway in bacteria. Acts as a competitionAn entertain inhibitor for compound para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which means it mimics the structure of PABA. Bacterial enzymes are bound to sulfanilamide instead of Paba, which stops their activity and slowly kills the cell.

bacterial cells need Paba to synthesize folate and folic acid, which are molecules necessary for the formation of amino acids and nucleotides. However, people are unable to produce folic acid and have to obtain it through a diet. Because this compound affects the synthetic path, it is harmful to bacterial cells, but not for human cells.

sulfonamide compounds were some of the first antimicrobial medicines that have ever developed. As a result of their success in the early 30 years, mass production of drug began and various pharmaceutical companies spewed new sulfonamide drugs. Little test procedures were followed during this timeOne and one drug containing poisonous diethylene glycol has been released. This was known as the Elixir Sulfanilamide disaster, occurred in 1937 and caused more than 100 deaths. This event caused a federal food, drug and cosmetic act from 1938 to ensure consumer safety.

After the restoration of safe production, this and other sulfonamide compounds have become popular antibiotics during World War II and have prevented many wounds from developing infections. Even today many sulfanilamide drugs are commonly prescribed for infections. Some available sulfanilamide brands include sulfadiazine and sulfamethoxazole, which are antibiotics and furosemide, which is a diuretic.