Antimicrobial activity and mechanistic insights of AMP-17 against drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its efficacy in wound infection management

The results of this study demonstrate that AMP-17 exhibits significant antimicrobial activity against drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The underlying mechanisms primarily involve disruption of bacterial membrane integrity, alteration of proton motive force (PMF), increased intracellular ROS levels, and inhibition of bacterial motility, ultimately leading to bacterial cell death. Additionally, AMP-17 shows promising efficacy in inhibiting biofilm formation and eradicating mature biofilms of drug-resistant <i>P. aeruginosa</i>. In a murine wound infection model, AMP-17 displayed potent <i>in vivo</i> antimicrobial activity, significantly reducing bacterial load and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, thereby effectively promoting wound healing. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of AMP-17 as a promising therapeutic agent for combating drug-resistant <i>P. aeruginosa</i> infections and enhancing wound healing.