Oleanolic acid derivatives against drug-resistant bacteria and fungi by multi-targets to avoid drug resistance

Mixed infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria and fungi pose a severe threat to human health, and multi-target drugs may provide an effective approach to combat drug-resistant pathogens. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the efficacies of some oleanolic acid (OA) derivatives against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and fungi using in vitro and in vivo experiments. Novel amphiphilic OA derivatives were designed and optimised, in which compounds G1 and J1 exhibited effective antimicrobial activity (MICs = 1-2 μg/mL), high selectivity against MDR strains, rapid bactericidal activity, and good predictive pharmacokinetics. Mechanistically, both compounds prevented drug resistance by disrupting the bacterial cell membrane, inserting into the DNA, and binding to DNA gyrase. Additionally, J1 reduced microbial count in a mouse MRSA skin infection model and accelerated wound healing much better than vancomycin. Conclusively, this study presents a new class of potential drugs for resistant bacteria and fungi.