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The protective effect of Schisandrin C against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-induced otitis media

Weifang Sun1, Meihui Tian2, Xingye Wang1

  • 1Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|June 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Schisandrin C effectively treats methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) otitis media by inhibiting sortase A, reducing inflammation, and restoring the epithelial barrier. It also enhances antibiotic efficacy, offering a promising therapeutic approach.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses significant challenges in treating otitis media (OM) due to its virulence factors and resistance.
  • Current therapies for MRSA-induced OM are limited, necessitating novel treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of Schisandrin C (Sch C) in a rat model of MRSA-induced otitis media (OM).
  • To investigate the mechanism of action of Sch C, focusing on its inhibitory effects on MRSA virulence factors.

Main Methods:

  • MRSA-induced acute otitis media (AOM) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) were established in rat models.
  • Sch C treatment was administered, and its effects on bacterial load, inflammatory markers, epithelial barrier integrity, and auditory function were assessed.
  • Mechanistic studies involved evaluating Sch C's inhibitory activity against sortase A (SrtA) using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).
  • Synergistic effects of Sch C with ofloxacin were investigated.

Main Results:

  • Sch C significantly reduced bacterial load and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in MRSA-induced OM.
  • Treatment with Sch C restored epithelial barrier integrity by modulating tight junction protein ZO-1 and mucin MUC5B.
  • Sch C directly inhibited MRSA sortase A (SrtA) activity, disrupting bacterial adhesion, invasion, and biofilm formation.
  • Sch C demonstrated synergistic effects with ofloxacin, enhancing its therapeutic efficacy against MRSA otitis.

Conclusions:

  • Schisandrin C is a potent inhibitor of MRSA sortase A, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for MRSA-induced otitis media.
  • Sch C mitigates inflammation, restores epithelial barrier function, and improves auditory outcomes in OM.
  • The combination of Sch C with existing antibiotics like ofloxacin may enhance treatment effectiveness for resistant bacterial infections.
Keywords:
MRSASchisandrin Cantivirulencebiofilmotitis mediasortase A inhibitor

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