METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES FOR THE EVALUATION OF BACTERIAL EFFLUX PUMP INHIBITION, A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance represents one of the biggest challenges in global public health, being frequently associated with the expression and hyperactivity of bacterial efflux pumps, which reduce the intracellular concentration of antibiotics and other therapeutic agents. The identification of compounds capable of inhibiting these efflux systems has emerged as a promising strategy to restore the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics. In this context, robust and well-established methodologies for analyzing the inhibition of efflux pumps are essential for the validation of new modulators. This narrative review aims to critically discuss the main methodologies used in the analysis of the inhibition of bacterial efflux pumps, covering phenotypic, biochemical, fluorimetric, genetic and computational assays, as well as their applications, advantages, limitations and relevance for studies aimed at the development of new antimicrobial agents.