Merck, 81271-10ML, Polymyxin B solution

General description
Chemical structure: peptide
Polymyxin B solution can find therapeutic applications as an antimicrobial agent, since it shows activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacterial infections.
Application
Polymyxin B sulfate is a strongly cationic cyclic polypeptide antibiotic that is derived from fermentation of Bacilus polymyxa. It is a mixture of B1 and B2 sulfate. The product has been used clinically to treat infections of the urinary tract, meninges and blood stream caused by susceptible strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It also has uses studying multidrug-resistant pathogens, as an immobilized agent for removal of endotoxins, and to induce pore formation in the membranes of cortex cells from excised sorghum roots.
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Biochem/physiol Actions
Mode of Action: Polymyxin B Sulfate binds to the lipid A portion of bacterial lipopolysaccharides, disrupting the cytoplasmic membrane by inducing pores large enough to permit nucleotide leakage in bacterial walls. This disrupts the permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane.

Mode of Resistance: The activity of Polymyxin B sulfate is inhibited by iron(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Magnesium ions. Polymyxin B may also be incompaitible with other microbial agents, including amphoterecin, cephalothin sodium, cephasolin sodium and heparin sodium.

Antimicrobial Spectrum: Has bactericidal action on most gram-negative bacilli, including E. Coli and on most fungi and gram-positive bacteria.
Preparation Note
This product is concentrated at 1 mg/mL in water, and should be stored at 2-8°C.