Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of paeoniflorin against carbapenem‐resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

AIM: To evaluate the antimicrobial effect of paeoniflorin against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). METHODS AND RESULTS: . Paeoniflorin destroyed the integrity of CRKP cell membrane, as was confirmed by decrease of intracellular ATP, pHin, membrane potential, as well as distinctive alteration in cell morphology, resulting in leakage of CRKP intracellular components. Moreover, paeoniflorin displayed a markedly inhibitory influence on biofilm formation of CRKP and inactivated CRKP cells within biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: Paeoniflorin shows promise as an effective antibiotic against CRKP with the potential to be an alternative therapeutic agent. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides information about the potential use of paeoniflorin to reduce the infection of CRKP in clinical practice and food production.