Amoxicillin exerts its antimicrobial effect by interfering with the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. Specifically, it binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, inhibiting the cross-linking of peptidoglycan layers. This disruption leads to weakened cell walls and ultimately causes bacterial lysis and death. The broad-spectrum nature of amoxicillin makes it effective against a range of pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, and various strains of Staphylococcus.
