Beyond antiparasitic activity: elucidating the antibacterial potency of pyrvinium pamoate.

ABSTRACT: Antimicrobial resistance represents a critical global health threat, demanding innovative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigate the repurposing potential of pyrvinium pamoate (PP)-a long-established anthelmintic agent-for antibacterial applications. Comprehensive in vitro analyses revealed that while gram-negative bacteria exhibited inherent resistance due to limited drug uptake, gram-positive pathogens, particularly within the orders Actinomycetales and Bacillales, were markedly susceptible at low micromolar concentrations. Enhanced antibacterial efficacy was observed when PP was combined with outer membrane-permeabilizing agents, such as the peptide D11 or pentamidine, which facilitated increased intracellular accumulation. Additionally, the role of e

SUBMITTER: Alcaraz-Martinez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12584725 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature