Idebenone is an antioxidant that can also prevent lipid peroxidation and shield mitochondria and cell membranes from oxidative damage. Isopropyl alcohol is a hydrophilic alcohol that may damage cell membranes and denature proteins that are necessary for microbial growth and metabolism. Chlorhexidine gluconate is a positively charged molecule that binds to the negatively charged cell walls of bacteria. This binding disrupts the cell membrane and causes the cell contents to precipitate.