Combating antibiotic resistance: mechanisms, challenges, and innovative approaches in antibacterial drug development
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a significant threat to public health and drug development, driven largely by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in medical and agricultural settings. As bacteria adapt to evade current drugs, managing bacterial infections has become increasingly challenging, leading to prolonged illnesses, higher healthcare costs, and increased mortality. This review explores the critical role of antibiotics in fighting infections and the mechanisms that enable bacteria to resist them. Key antibiotics discussed include carvacrol, dalbavancin, quinolones, fluoroquinolones, and zoliflodacin, each with unique actions against bacterial pathogens. Bacteria have evolved complex resistance strategies, such as enzyme production to neutralize drugs, modifying drug targets, and using efflux pumps to remove antibiotics, significantly reducing drug efficacy. Additionally, the review examines the challenges in antibiotic development, including a declining discovery rate of novel drugs due to high costs and regulatory complexities. Innovative approaches, such as structure-based drug design, combination therapies, and new delivery systems, are highlighted for their potential to create compounds with enhanced action against resistant strains. This review provides valuable insights for researchers and developers aiming to combat antibiotic resistance and advance the development of robust antibacterial therapies for future health security.
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