The potentiation of oxytetracycline via synergism with catechin

Combinational therapy can be utilized to slow antibiotic resistance. The flavonoid catechin proves to enhance the efficacy of oxytetracycline against Staphylococcus aureus. The results obtained suggest that the mechanism underlying synergy does not exclusively include cellular damage, increased oxidative stress or intracellular antibiotic accumulation. However, the treatment of catechin is able to significantly reduce biofilm production in one of the two strains tested. Genomic analysis revealed a mutation in a calcium-dependent protein in the non-responsive strain resulting in a possible loss of function. These results suggest that integrative molecular approaches may aid in combating diseases in a pathogen-specific manner.