Anti bacterial agent 237 (compound Ru-8) acts as a potent antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus aureus, exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.78 to 1.56 μg/mL. It works by disrupting bacterial cell membranes, altering their permeability, and inducing the production of reactive oxygen species, which leads to bacterial cell death without promoting resistance. Additionally, Anti bacterial agent 237 demonstrates low hemolytic toxicity towards rabbit erythrocytes and Raw 264.7 cells. It has shown significant antibacterial activity in models of skin wound infections in mice and larval infections by the greater wax moth, effectively combating Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Antibacterial agent 237 exhibits antimicrobial activity against S. aureus Newman, S. aureus ATCC 29213, Methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC 33591, E. coli 25922, and PAO1, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.78 μg/mL, 1.56 μg/mL, 1.56 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, and 50 μg/mL, respectively. This compound retains its inhibitory action against S. aureus Newman even under high salt concentrations, with an MIC of 0.78 μg/mL and remains stable in mammalian body fluids (serum, plasma, blood). Antibacterial agent 237 effectively and rapidly eradicates S. aureus Newman at concentrations ranging from 0-4.68 μg/mL over 0-120 minutes, displaying a concentration-dependent killing mechanism that helps prevent resistance development. Furthermore, it eliminates biofilms of S. aureus Newman (0-49.92 μg/mL over 24 hours) in a dose-dependent manner. At a concentration of 0.39 μg/mL for 5-6 hours, it is less likely to induce resistance in S. aureus Newman. Antibacterial agent 237 also disrupts the cell membrane of S. aureus Newman at concentrations of 0.78-4.68 μg/mL over 0-6 hours, leading to bacterial cell death by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causing leakage of bacterial contents. Additionally, the agent kills S. aureus Newman without harming normal cells over 24 hours when used in concentrations up to 100 μg/mL.

Antibacterial agent 237, when administered at dosages of 0-256 mg/kg by injection at the second pair of ventral fins in the tail, has demonstrated good safety and therapeutic efficacy in larval models of wax moth. Similarly, topical applications of this agent at concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/mL using sterile cream have shown effective treatment outcomes in mouse models infected with S. aureus Newman.