Synthetic and Semisynthetic Compounds as Antibacterials Targeting Virulence Traits in Resistant Strains: A Narrative Updated Review

Abstract

This narrative review paper provides an up-to-date overview of the potential of novel synthetic and semisynthetic compounds as antibacterials that target virulence traits in resistant strains. The review focused on research conducted in the last five years and investigated a range of compounds including azoles, indoles, thiophenes, glycopeptides, pleuromutilin derivatives, lactone derivatives, and chalcones. The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is a growing public health concern, and new approaches are urgently needed to combat this threat. One promising approach is to target virulence factors, which are essential for bacterial survival and pathogenesis, but not for bacterial growth. By targeting virulence factors, it may be possible to reduce the severity of bacterial infections without promoting the development of resistance. We discuss the mechanisms of action of the various compounds investigated and their potential as antibacterials. The review highlights the potential of targeting virulence factors as a promising strategy to combat antibiotic resistance and suggests that further research is needed to identify new compounds and optimize their efficacy. The findings of this review suggest that novel synthetic and semisynthetic compounds that target virulence factors have great potential as antibacterials in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Changes in the Ultrastructure of Staphylococcus aureus Cells Make It Possible to Identify and Analyze the Injuring Effects of Ciprofloxacin, Polycationic Amphiphile and Their Hybrid

“…This circumstance, among others, determines the need to create synthetic compounds having similar antibacterial properties, but devoid of AMP’s shortcomings. Detailed analyses of various classes of synthetic compounds that can be used to solve this problem are given in [ 39 ].…”

“…Previously, we synthesized a compound "DL 4 12" (Figure 1), in which quaternary residues of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) were connected by tetramethylene linker with a dodecane substituent, and showed its high antibacterial activity [6]. This class of compounds was not mentioned in the detailed review by Stojkovic et al [39], published in May 2023. In this work, for the first time, we showed that the polycationic amphiphile DL 4 12 directly interacts with the S. aureus cell wall, starting a pronounced disruption of its structure.…”

Chemical Analysis and Investigation of Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Prangos trifida (Apiaceae)

“…Antibiotics 2024, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 25 1 Compound number used in text; numbers are registered based on retention times (Rt), i.e., order of elution of compounds on SB-Aq column. 2 Detected only in the fruits MFDE.…”

“…In an era of growing antimicrobial resistance, it is crucial to discover new antibacterial and antifungal agents [1,2]. Plants are well-known to be rich sources of compounds, which have a wide range of biological activities, including effects on broad spectrum of microorganisms [3], the most researched plant preparations are essential oils and extracts [4].…”

Synthetic Pathways to Non-Psychotropic Phytocannabinoids as Promising Molecules to Develop Novel Antibiotics: A Review

“…These families have been assigned to three priority groups, comprising critical pathogens ( Acinetobacter , Pseudomonas , and Enterobacteriaceae ), high priority pathogens ( Enterococcus faecium , Staphylococcus aureus , Helicobacter pylori , Campylobacter , Salmonella spp., and Neisseria gonorrhoeae ), and medium priority pathogens ( Streptococcus pneumoniae , and Shigella spp.) [ 3 , 4 ]. Resistance in bacteria can be acquired or natural, but several mechanisms exist by which pathogens can become resistant to antibiotics ( Figure 1 ).…”