Potentiation of the activity of β-lactam antibiotics by farnesol and its derivatives

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2018 Feb 15;28(4):642-645. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.01.028. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Abstract

Farnesol, a sesquiterpene alcohol, potentiates the activity of β-lactam antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We document that farnesol and two synthetic derivatives (compounds 2 and 6) have poor antibacterial activities of their own, but they potentiate the activities of ampicillin and oxacillin against Staphylococcus aureus strains (including methicillin-resistant S. aureus). These compounds attenuate the rate of growth of bacteria, which has to be taken into account in assessment of the potentiation effect.

Keywords: Antimicrobial activity; Farnesol; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); Potentiation; β-Lactam antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Ampicillin / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Farnesol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Oxacillin / pharmacology*
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis
  • Prodrugs / pharmacology
  • beta-Lactams / chemical synthesis
  • beta-Lactams / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Prodrugs
  • beta-Lactams
  • Farnesol
  • Ampicillin
  • Oxacillin