Resveratrol potentiates the antibiofilm and antibacterial activity of polymyxin B against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

AIMS: Polymyxins are generally recommended to be used in combination with other antibiotics for improving their antibacterial effects. As for treating carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections, which antibiotic is the best option for polymyxin B-based combination therapy is still under debate. Resveratrol, a natural compound that can be well-tolerated by the human body, may have potential value in the polymyxin B-based combination therapy against carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii infections.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

With checkerboard assays and time-killing studies, we have found that resveratrol increased the sensitivity of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii to polymyxin B and enhanced the bactericidal activity of polymyxin B against carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii. With biofilm formation studies, we have confirmed that resveratrol potentiated the antibiofilm activity of polymyxin B and improved its bactericidal activity against the bacterial cells with established biofilms.

CONCLUSIONS

Resveratrol potentiates the antibiofilm and antibacterial activity of polymyxin B against carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii. Polymyxin B used in combination with resveratrol may have better clinical efficacy than polymyxin B monotherapy in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii infections.