Potentiation of the activity of β-lactam antibiotics by farnesol and its derivatives

Farnesol, a sesquiterpene alcohol, potentiates the activity of beta-lactam antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We document that farnesol and two synthetic derivatives (compounds 2 and 6) have poor antibacterial activities of their own, but they potentiate the activities of ampicillin and oxacillin against Staphylococcus aureus strains (including methicillin-resistant S. aureus). These compounds attenuate the rate of growth of bacteria, which has to be taken into account in assessment of the potentiation effect. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.