Hypochlorite (DB11123): A Comprehensive Monograph on its Chemical, Pharmacological, and Clinical Profile

I. Introduction and Overview

Hypochlorite, identified in DrugBank as DB11123, represents the active chemical moiety—the hypochlorite ion (ClO−)—that serves as the cornerstone for a class of potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial and disinfectant agents.[1] While the formal database entry refers to this simple inorganic anion, its practical application in medicine, public health, and industry is realized almost exclusively through its salt forms, most notably aqueous solutions of sodium hypochlorite (

NaClO).[3] This report provides a multi-disciplinary analysis of hypochlorite, integrating its fundamental chemistry, its non-specific and highly effective antimicrobial pharmacology, its century-long history of clinical application in wound care and disinfection, its significant toxicological profile, and its complex, use-dependent regulatory status.

The central theme of this monograph is the inherent duality of hypochlorite: its powerful, non-specific biocidal activity is simultaneously its greatest therapeutic asset and its most significant safety liability. The chemical properties that enable it to eradicate a wide range of pathogens by indiscriminately destroying organic molecules are the very same properties that can cause severe corrosive damage to host tissues upon improper use. Consequently, nearly two centuries of scientific and medical development have been dedicated to a singular goal: harnessing its profound efficacy while mitigating its intrinsic toxicity. This endeavor has centered on the precise control of concentration, pH, formulation stability, and application technique. A critical distinction must be maintained throughout this analysis between the hypochlorite ion (ClO−), the active principle, and the formulated agents like sodium hypochlorite solution, which represent the chemical vehicle for its delivery. This distinction is not