Unexpected Efficacy of Albumin-Bound Glycerol Monolaurate Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Isolates: A Time-Kill Assay Study.

BACKGROUND

The rise of antibiotic resistance is a significant threat to global health, necessitating the exploration of novel antimicrobial agents. Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is known for its antimicrobial properties, primarily against Gram-positive bacteria, with limited evidence of efficacy against Gram-negative pathogens.

METHODS

This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of GML alone and in combination with human serum albumin (HSA) against clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant and vancomycin-resistant bacteria using MIC and time-kill assays.

RESULTS

Contrary to previous reports, we demonstrate that GML exhibits significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including strains resistant to conventional antibiotics. It inhibited carbapenem-resistant isolates with MIC values ranging from 25 to 100 μg/mL for , and and showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity. The combination of HSA and GML enhanced this effect, showing potent bactericidal properties across all tested concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Current findings suggest that HSA-bound GML could be developed as a novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent targeting multidrug-resistant pathogens. Future research should focus on formulation optimization, in vivo efficacy studies, and preclinical evaluations to determine its therapeutic potential in clinical settings.