Possible Binding of Piperine in Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA Polymerase and Rifampin Synergism

Abstract

The activity of rifampin (RIF) and piperine was evaluated at the relative transcript levels of 12 efflux pumps (EPs), and an additional mechanism was proposed to be behind the synergic interactions of piperine plus RIF in <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> AutoDock v4.2.3 and Molegro v6 programs were used to evaluate PIP binding in <i>M. tuberculosis</i> RNA polymerase (RNAP). A hypothesis has been raised that piperine interferes in <i>M. tuberculosis</i> growth through RNAP inhibition, differently from what was previously endorsed for EP inhibition only.