Farnesol, a potential efflux pump inhibitor in Mycobacterium smegmatis

Molecules. 2010 Oct 29;15(11):7750-62. doi: 10.3390/molecules15117750.

Abstract

The active multidrug efflux pump (EP) has been described as one of the mechanisms involved in the natural drug resistance of bacteria, such as mycobacteria. As a result, the development of efflux pumps inhibitors (EPIs) is an important topic. In this study, a checkerboard synergy assay indicated that farnesol both decreased the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ethidium bromide (EtBr) 8-fold against Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis) mc²155 ATCC 700084 when incorporated at a concentration of 32 μg/mL (FICI = 0.625) and decreased MIC 4-fold at 16 μg/mL (FICI = 0.375). Farnesol also showed synergism when combined with rifampicin. A real-time 96-well plate fluorometric method was used to assess the ability of farnesol to inhibit EPs in comparison with four positive EPIs: chlorpromazine, reserpine, verapamil, and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). Farnesol significantly enhanced the accumulation of EtBr and decreased the efflux of EtBr in M. smegmatis; these results suggest that farnesol acts as an inhibitor of mycobacterial efflux pumps.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone
  • Chlorpromazine / pharmacology
  • Farnesol / pharmacology*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / drug effects*
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / metabolism*
  • Nitriles / pharmacology
  • Reserpine / pharmacology
  • Verapamil / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Nitriles
  • mesoxalonitrile
  • Farnesol
  • Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone
  • Reserpine
  • Verapamil
  • Chlorpromazine