Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2025
11:15
Quadruple-Checkerboard: A Modification of the Three-Dimensional Checkerboard for Studying Drug Combinations
Published on: July 24, 2021
4.9K
A polytherapy based approach to combat antimicrobial resistance using cubosomes
Xiangfeng Lai1, Mei-Ling Han2, Yue Ding1,3
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
Nature Communications
|January 18, 2022
Summary
Polytherapy combining cubosomes and polymyxin demonstrates superior antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative "superbugs." This novel approach enhances membrane disruption, offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotic treatments.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Declining antimicrobial drug pipeline and rising Gram-negative bacterial resistance necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
- Cubosomes and polymyxins exhibit distinct mechanisms for disrupting bacterial outer membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of polymyxin-loaded cubosomes.
- To explore polytherapy using cubosomes and polymyxin as an alternative treatment for Gram-negative pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Investigated antimicrobial activity of polymyxin-loaded cubosomes and polytherapy (cubosomes + polymyxin).
- Utilized confocal microscopy and neutron reflectometry to elucidate the mechanism of action.
Main Results:
- Polytherapy demonstrated significantly enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to monotherapies.
- A two-step mechanism was identified: initial outer membrane destabilization by polymyxin, followed by cubosome-induced disruption via lipid exchange.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle-based polytherapy offers a potent strategy against antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria ('superbugs').
- This approach presents a promising alternative to conventional drug-loaded lipid nanoparticles for combating resistant infections.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism
5.1K
Synergism is a useful mechanism where combining two or more drugs is more effective than each constituent used alone. Such combinations are also called supra-additive interactions. The drugs collectively enhance the final therapeutic effect by acting on different targets. Another advantage is that the low dose of each constituent drug is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. This helps reduce the duration of therapy and lower the adverse effects of these drugs.
Such synergistic combinations...
Such synergistic combinations...
5.1K
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
298
Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
298
00:57Antibiotic Selection
56.1K
Overview
56.1K
01:16Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy
611
Helicobacter pylori, a resilient gram-negative bacterium, can thrive in the stomach's harsh, acidic environment. Infection with H. pylori leads to a cascade of events within the stomach lining. One of the critical disruptions caused by this bacterium is the interference with somatostatin production, a hormone responsible for regulating acid secretion. This interference tips the balance, escalating acid secretion and diminishing bicarbonate levels. This imbalance compromises the defensive...
611
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
287
The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
287
01:28Biological Methods for Microbial Control
302
Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
302