8-Hydroxyquinoline

The Uses of 8-Hydroxyquinoline

8-Hydroxyquinoline has a wide variety of uses, primarily due to its metal chelating properties. 8-Hydroxyquinoline and its salts, halogenated derivatives, and metal complexes have been utilized as analytical reagents (Hollingshead, 1954) and as antimicrobial agents in medicine, fungicides, and insecticides (Harvey, 1975). Additionally, it serves as a preservative in cosmetics and tobacco, a chemical intermediate in dye synthesis (IARC, 1977), and a precipitating reagent for uranium and other radioactive metals in nuclear power plant liquid waste effluent. It is also employed in nuclear medicine with indium-111 (Davis et al., 1978).

Background

Oxyquinoline, a heterocyclic phenol and derivative of quinoline, possesses antiseptic, disinfectant, and pesticide properties. It is also used as a stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide and is sometimes added to cosmetic products.

Indications

Oxyquinoline is used as a biocidal component of several over the counter products. These products are marketed for the purposes of inhibiting abnormal biological growth in the vagina and restoring natural pH.

Pharmacokinetics

Oxyquinoline acts as a biocide to eliminate bacteria and fungi .

Metabolism

In the urine, 60% of the dose is excreted as glucuronide conjugates and 23% of the dose as sulfate conjugates . In the bile, 9% of the total dose is found as glucuronide conjugates.