IMCCRT 2025 - 4540 Title - Exploring the scope of Antibiotic Adjuvants in modern therapeutic

Title - Exploring the scope of Antibiotic Adjuvants in modern therapeutic interventions against multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Bacteria

Author's Name - Tamalika Chakraborty, Sumana Chatterjee

Abstract - The threat of multi-drug resistance posed by bacterial pathogens responsible for infectious illnesses in people and animals is significant. Numerous bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance through various mechanisms, including the activation of efflux pumps that diminish intracellular antibiotic concentrations, the synthesis of protective proteins that reduce antibiotic affinity for target sites, or mutations in DNA and topoisomerase genes that modify binding site residues. The creation of a novel class of antibiotics to combat bacterial resistance would need substantial resources, including extensive work and significant financial investment due to commercial risk. Consequently, the researchers have used a strategic methodology to augment the antibacterial effectiveness of current antibiotics by conjugation or combination of these agents. Several peptides have been identified as antibacterial, cell-penetrating, or membrane-active compounds. Antibiotics-Peptide Conjugates (APCs) consist of established antibiotics linked to a peptide via a connector. The objective behind the concept develops a multifunctional antimicrobial agent that will induce synergistic antibacterial effects while mitigating the established limitations of antibiotics or peptides, including cellular penetration, serum instability, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, and instability in high-salinity environments. This review highlights the amalgamation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with antibiotics or organometallic compounds to enhance antibacterial efficacy or target specificity, conjugation with photosensitizers to augment photodynamic treatment (PDT), or attachment to particles, among other applications in order to achieve bactericidal property against MDR bacteria.

Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance, Efflux Pump, Augment, Antibiotics-Peptide, Synergistic.