Natural aloe emodin-hybridized sulfonamide aminophosphates as novel potential membrane-perturbing and DNA-intercalating agents against Enterococcus faecalis

•Natural aloe emodin-hybridized sulfonamide aminophosphates were developed for the first time.•Compound 7a exerted excellent anti-E. faecalis activity and good biocompatibility.•Compound 7a showed a low tendency to induce drug resistance.•Compound 7a disrupted the bacterial membrane and led to the leakage of protein.•Compound 7a intercalated into DNA to form 7a-DNA complex.