Palmatine potentiates cefquinome efficacy against multidrug-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> via sulfur/taurine metabolism and oxidative stress modulation.

ABSTRACT: Palmatine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid derived from Fibraureae Caulis, is widely used for its heat-clearing, detoxifying, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The emergence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli poses a critical challenge to the efficacy of β-lactam antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins such as cefquinome. This study demonstrates that palmatine markedly enhances the antibacterial activity of cefquinome through multi-targeted mechanisms, revealing a new pharmacological potential for this compound. Antimicrobial and synergistic activities were assessed using the microbroth dilution method and checkerboard assay. Bacterial morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while biofilm inhibition was assessed using confocal la

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12662166 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature