4 research outputs found
Promysalin is a salicylate-containing antimicrobial with a cell-membrane-disrupting mechanism of action on Gram-positive bacteria
Promysalin was previously described as a narrow spectrum molecule with a unique species-specific
activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here we demonstrate that promysalin is active against Grampositive
and Gram-negative bacteria using a microdilution assay. Promysalin acts on Gram-positive
bacteria with a mechanism of action involving cell membrane damage with leakage of intracellular
components. The evaluation of MICs and MBCs on 11 promysalin analogs, synthesized utilizing
diverted total synthesis, allowed the identification of the structural moieties potentially involved in cell
membrane interaction and damage. The mechanism of action of promysalin against Gram-negative
bacteria is still not clarified, even if a synergistic effect with the bisguanidine chlorhexidine on cell
membrane disruption has been observed