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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
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Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method
Published on: April 18, 2019
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A potential benzimidazole-derived compound, NSC348884, combats carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria
Yu Zhang1, Longxin Qin1, Ruihua Li2
1Pharmaceutical Research Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116023, China.
Biochemical Pharmacology
|March 20, 2026
Summary
A new compound, NSC348884, shows promise against critical-priority carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections. It works by disrupting bacterial membranes and shows effectiveness in preclinical models.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a critical-priority pathogen identified by the WHO.
- There is an urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents to combat CRAB infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and evaluate novel therapeutic agents against CRAB.
- To investigate the mechanism of action and in vivo efficacy of NSC348884 against CRAB.
Main Methods:
- Screening of benzimidazole analogs for synergistic effects with imipenem.
- In vitro antibacterial and anti-biofilm assays.
- Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to elucidate mechanism of action.
- In vivo efficacy assessment in a mouse model of CRAB infection.
Main Results:
- NSC348884 demonstrated additive or synergistic effects with imipenem against carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB).
- NSC348884 exhibited direct antibacterial activity, anti-biofilm efficacy comparable to polymyxin B, and did not induce resistance.
- Mechanism involves perturbation of lipid metabolism, disruption of membrane integrity, and induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- In vivo studies showed reduced bacterial load and protection against lung injury and inflammation in a CRAB infection mouse model.
Conclusions:
- NSC348884 is a promising drug candidate for treating CRAB infections.
- The findings support further development and clinical application of NSC348884.
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