Studies of erythromycin maltobionate, a new derivative of erythromycin

Erythromycin maltobionate, a new water-soluble derivative of erythromycin, was prepared, and its physicochemical and biological properties were evalua ted. The derivative has considerable solubility in organic solvents. Its pa rtition coefficient data in different organic solvent-water systems indicat e it is possibly well distributed in various tissues in vivo. Antimicrobial potency in vitro of the derivative is 589 mu g/mg, and its antimicrobial s pectrum is comparable to that of the parent antibiotic. The LD50 value of t he new derivative in mice intraperitoneally is 244.7 mg/kg. Results of this and the previous investigation of pharmacokinetics and protein binding ind icate that the new derivative erythromycin maltobionate has a potential for possible clinical application.