Repurposing Over-the-Counter Drugs and an Iron-Chelator as Antibacterial Agents

Abstract

The conventional drug discovery and development process takes a long time and is not financially viable at times. Repurposing or repositioning existing drugs for treating new diseases seems to be a feasible alternative to this problem. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as Rantac (antacid), Draminate (antiemetic), Diclofenac (painkiller), Sinarest (for respiratory disorders), and Desifer (iron-chelator) were included in this study against eight laboratory cultures. Objective: Repurposing Desifer and the OTC drugs as antibacterial agents. Methods: Aqueous preparations of the OTC drugs and Desifer were checked for their antibacterial activity by the ditch plate method. The Agar cup diffusion method was used to determine the MIC of the individual drugs against gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. The synergistic activity of supernatants of OTC drugs with Desifer was determined using agar cup diffusion and micro broth dilution methods. MTT assay was performed with cell lines to determine anticancer and cytotoxic activity. Results and Discussion: Supernatants of drugs used showed antibacterial activity against at least one laboratory culture used. MIC of OTC drugs decreased to one-fourth of individual MIC when used in combination with Desifer, indicating that Desifer enhanced their inhibitory action. Desifer and Diclofenac exhibit anticancer activity, and low cytotoxicity, therefore could be good candidates as chemotherapeutic agents. Conclusion: A combination of the drugs such as Diclofenac and Desifer could be an effective alternative therapy to treat bacterial infections. With emerging drug resistance, Desifer with OTC drugs proves to be a good strategy to enhance the effectiveness of antibacterial drugs.