Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Carvacrol, Amoxicillin and Salicylhydroxamic Acid Alone and in Combination vs. Helicobacter pylori: Towards a New Multi-Targeted Therapy

The World Health Organization has indicated Helicobacter pylori as a high-priority pathogen whose infections urgently require an update of the antibacterial treatments pipeline. Recently, bacterial ureases and carbonic anhydrases (CAs) were found to represent valuable pharmacological targets to inhibit bacterial growth. Hence, we explored the underexploited possibility of developing a multiple-targeted anti-H. pylori therapy by assessing the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of a CA inhibitor, carvacrol (CAR), amoxicillin (AMX) and a urease inhibitor (SHA), alone and in combination. Minimal Inhibitory (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal (MBC) Concentrations of their different combinations were evaluated by checkerboard assay and three different methods were employed to assess their capability to eradicate H. pylori biofilm. Through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis, the mechanism of action of the three compounds alone and together was determined. Interestingly, most combinations were found to strongly inhibit H. pylori growth, resulting in an additive FIC index for both CAR-AMX and CAR-SHA associations, while an indifferent value was recorded for the AMX-SHA association. Greater antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of the combinations CAR-AMX, SHA-AMX and CAR-SHA against H. pylori were found with respect to the same compounds used alone, thereby representing an innovative and promising strategy to counteract H. pylori infections.

Automated summary

The World Health Organization has identified Helicobacter pylori as a high-priority pathogen requiring updated antibacterial treatments. This study investigated the potential of combining a CA inhibitor, carvacrol (CAR), amoxicillin (AMX), and a urease inhibitor (SHA) to develop a multiple-targeted anti-H. pylori therapy. The combinations of these compounds showed strong inhibition of H. pylori growth and biofilm formation, with CAR-AMX and CAR-SHA combinations demonstrating additive effects and AMX-SHA combination showing indifferent effects.