Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Improved Enzyme Protection Assay to Study Staphylococcus aureus Internalization and Intracellular Efficacy of Antimicrobial Compounds
Published on: September 8, 2021
The mechanism of antibacterial activity of tetrandrine against Staphylococcus aureus
Young-Seob Lee1, Sin-Hee Han, Su-Hwan Lee
1Department of Herbal Crop Research, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Eumsung, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Tetrandrine (TET) is a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid derived from the radix of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore. TET performs a wide spectrum of biological activities. The radix of S. tetrandrae has been used traditionally in Asia, including Korea, to treat congestive circulatory disorders and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism of antibacterial activity of tetrandrine against Staphylococcus aureus. The mechanism was investigated by studying the effects of TET in combination with detergent or membrane potential un-couplers. In addition, the direct involvement of peptidoglycan (PGN) was assessed in titration assays. TET activity against S. aureus was 125-250 μg/mL, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the two reference strains was 250 μg/mL. The OD(600) of each suspension treated with a combination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (TRIS), and Triton X-100 (TX) with TET (0.25×MIC) had been reduced from 43% to 96%. Additional structure-function studies on the antibacterial activity of TET in combination with other agents may lead to the discovery of more effective antibacterial agents.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism
Such synergistic combinations...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections

