Antibacterial potential of prenylated polyketide derivatives against multidrug-resistant pathogens

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the ability of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites, to survive exposure to multiple antimicrobial agents that are usually effective against them. This resistance poses a significant challenge in treating infections, leading to prolonged illness, increased healthcare costs, and higher mortality rates [ 1 ]. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative antimicrobial agents to effectively address these resistant pathogens. Building on the evolutionary success of natural products in combating bacterial infections, this study explores the potential of a library of over one hundred plant-derived compounds to address MDR [ 2 ]. This library, comprising several structural classes such as terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolics, was evaluated for its antibacterial activity. Initial screening against Escherichia coli MG1655 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 identified several promising compounds exhibiting selective activity (MIC≤8 μg/mL) against S. aureus . Further evaluation confirmed the efficacy of natural and semisynthetic prenylated polyketides against a panel of MDR Gram-positive bacteria. Notably, these compounds exhibited negligible hemolytic activity (