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Reinforcing the Arsenal: Advanced Antibiotic Adjuvants as Strategic Disruptors of Bacterial Defenses
Jiale Dong1, Dexu Zhang2, Shutao Ma1
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shandong Key Laboratory of Druggability Optimization and Evaluation for Lead Compounds, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, P.R. China.
Abstract:
The global crisis of bacterial antimicrobial resistance poses a severe threat to public health and agricultural development. Multidrug-resistant pathogens, including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are widely distributed in clinical settings and food chains. The development of new antibiotics lags far behind practical demand, making antibiotic adjuvants a vital alternative strategy. These adjuvants have high minimum inhibitory concentrations and show weak antibacterial activity when used alone. At subinhibitory concentrations, they can target diverse resistance mechanisms and restore or enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in broad-spectrum antibiotic adjuvants and classifies them into five categories. A three-dimensional evaluation model is proposed to guide artificial intelligence-assisted screening. We further discuss the clinical significance and agricultural applications of adjuvants against antimicrobial resistance, which provide a reference for the cross-domain translation of antibiotic adjuvants.
Insights
Antibiotic adjuvants are crucial for combating antimicrobial resistance. These compounds, at low concentrations, restore antibiotic effectiveness against resistant bacteria like E. coli and P. aeruginosa.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis threatens public health and agriculture.
- Multidrug-resistant pathogens like Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are prevalent.
- New antibiotic development is insufficient, necessitating alternative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in broad-spectrum antibiotic adjuvants.
- To classify antibiotic adjuvants into five categories.
- To propose a model for AI-assisted screening of adjuvants.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of recent literature on antibiotic adjuvants.
- Classification of adjuvants based on their mechanisms and spectrum of activity.
- Development of a 3D evaluation model for AI-assisted screening.
Main Results:
- Adjuvants can restore or enhance antibiotic efficacy at subinhibitory concentrations.
- Five categories of broad-spectrum antibiotic adjuvants were identified.
- An AI-assisted screening model was proposed for adjuvant discovery.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic adjuvants are a vital strategy against AMR.
- Adjuvants show promise for clinical and agricultural applications.
- Cross-domain translation of adjuvants requires further research and development.
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