Understanding the synergistic sensitization of natural products and antibiotics: An effective strategy to combat MRSA

• Published in: European journal of medicinal chemistry 2025-01, Vol.281, p.117012, Article 117012
• Main Authors: Chen, Sisi, Zhi, Ziling, Wong, Wing-Leung, Yuan, Wenchang, Sun, Ning
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemical synthesis; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibiotic; Biological Products - chemistry; Biological Products - pharmacology; Combination therapy; Drug Synergism; Humans; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Structure; MRSA; Natural products; Synergy
• ISSN: 0223-5234; 1768-3254; 1768-3254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.117012

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common multi-resistant organisms found in hospital-acquired infections and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The development of new drugs and promising therapeutic strategies against MRSA is thus an urgent request. In recent years, some natural products have been demonstrated to show great potential in improving the efficacy of antibiotics to treat various drug-resistant bacteria, particularly MRSA. In this context, we aimed to analyze systematically from the prior arts that investigated the synergy between natural products and antibiotics against MRSA. These findings not only give us a better understanding on the mechanism of actions but also shed light on the bioactive molecular scaffolds identified from diverse natural products. In the present study, we concentratedly reviewed the studies that utilized natural products to enhance the potency of conventional antibiotics against MRSA in the last decade. The timely information reported herein may give meaningful insights into the molecular design of novel and potent antibacterial agents and/or effective therapeutics to combat MRSA for practical applications. [Display omitted] •Natural products may reduce drug dose and/or reverse resistance of antibiotics against MRSA.•Natural products could be effective sensitizers to MRSA.•The sensitizing effects natural products are discussed and analyzed.•The combination of natural products with conventional antibiotics may be a promising strategy to combat MRSA.