EXAMPLE 7

Efflux pumps draw energy from hydrolysis of ATP, ions, or protons. Therefore, disruption of these processes could lead to inhibition of efflux pumps. Ethidium bromide (EtBr), a fluorescent dye, is an efflux pumps' substrate and damages on the membrane directly or indirectly lead to the accumulation of EtBr. As shown in FIG. 12, a concentration-dependent fluorescence increase was observed from both OCG- and BDQ-treated cells. Considering that OCG does not cause physical membrane damage, the increased fluorescent signals could be an indirect result of impaired functions of the efflux pumps. The dissipation of the PMF caused by BDQ indirectly damaged the efflux pumps, resulting in the accumulation of EtBr.

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