Antibacterial Activity of Paroxetine Against <i>Staphylococcus Aureus</i> and Possible Mechanisms of Action
Vitória Pessoa de Farias Cabral, Daniel Sampaio Rodrigues, Amanda Dias Barbosa, Lara Elloyse Almeida Moreira, Lívia Gurgel do Amaral Valente Sá, Cecília Rocha da Silva, João BA Neto, Jacilene Silva, Emmanuel Silva Marinho, Hélcio Silva dos Santos, Bruno Coêlho Cavalcanti, Manoel Odorico de Moraes, Hélio Vitoriano Nobre Júnior
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of paroxetine alone and associated with oxacillin against isolates of methicillin-sensitive and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Materials & methods: The broth microdilution and checkerboard techniques were used, with investigation of possible mechanisms of action through flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and molecular docking, in addition to scanning electron microscopy for morphological analysis. Results: Paroxetine showed a MIC of 64 μg/ml and bactericidal activity, mostly additive interactions in combination with oxacillin, evidence of action on genetic material and membrane, morphological changes in microbial cells and influence on virulence factors. Conclusion: Paroxetine has antibacterial potential from the perspective of drug repositioning.