Ambroxol Induces Autophagy and Potentiates Rifampin Antimycobacterial Activity

Abstract

Host-directed therapy in tuberculosis is a potential adjunct to antibiotic chemotherapy directed at Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Ambroxol, a lead compound, emerged from a screen for autophagy-inducing drugs. Host-directed therapy in tuberculosis is a potential adjunct to antibiotic chemotherapy directed at Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Ambroxol, a lead compound, emerged from a screen for autophagy-inducing drugs. At clinically relevant doses, ambroxol induced autophagy in vitro and in vivo and promoted mycobacterial killing in macrophages. Ambroxol also potentiated rifampin activity in a murine tuberculosis model.