Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40594620›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Dimetridazole potentiates cefotaxime against multidrug-resistant E. coli via membrane disruption and fatty acid composition.

Xiaojuan Wei, Weiwei Wang, Safia Arbab, Qing Wang, Yubin Bai, Jiyu Zhang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Xiaojuan WeiLanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gausu, China.
Weiwei WangLanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gausu, China.
Safia ArbabLanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gausu, China.
Qing WangLanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gausu, China.
Yubin BaiLanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gausu, China. baiyubin@caas.cn.
Jiyu ZhangLanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gausu, China. infzjy@sina.com.

Funding

Earmarked Fund for CARS CARS-37Fundamental scientific research funds of Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences 1610322017014National Natural Science Foundation of China 32273068
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The rising prevalence and rapid spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria have resulted in ineffective treatments, impacting millions of lives globally. In response to these challenges, drug repurposing has garnered attention as a viable alternative to traditional drug discovery and development processes. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of dimetridazole and cefotaxime by evaluating their efficacy against E. coli. A checkerboard assay was performed to examine the synergy of dimetridazole in combination with cefotaxime against drug-resistant E. coli NX400. The results showed synergistic effects. Additionally, a growth curve was used to assess the growth inhibitory effects. Membrane permeability and membrane integrity were evaluated using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We also analyzed the composition of membrane fatty acids and the expression of fatty acid biosynthesis-related genes. Finally, a Galleria mellonella infection model was employed to evaluate the synergistic antibacterial activity. The results showed that dimetridazole in combination with cefotaxime had significant antibacterial activity against MDR E. coli. This finding was confirmed by an in vivo G. mellonella larval infection model, in which dimetridazole revived the activity of cefotaxime. The antibacterial mechanisms are related to the bacterial membrane. Combination of dimetridazole and cefotaxime disrupts membrane integrity, permeability, and biosynthesis.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsCefotaximeCell MembraneDrug Resistance, Multiple, BacterialEscherichia coliFatty AcidsAnimalsCell Membrane PermeabilityDrug SynergismEscherichia coli InfectionsMicrobial Sensitivity TestsAnti-Bacterial AgentsCefotaximeFatty AcidsCefotaximeDimetridazoleE. coliFatty acid compositionMembrane disruptionMultidrug resistanceSynergy

Identifiers

PMID40594620
PMCPMC12219633

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.