October 14, 2019
Antibiotic resistance is a serious concern worldwide as more and more bacteria become drug resistant. Finding ways to combat this problem is essential, and researchers are looking to a variety of natural compounds to help.
A team of scientists from the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine was investigating ways to treat the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause serious infections in humans. This bacterium is currently treated with a cocktail of medications as it is becoming increasingly difficult to treat. The team discovered that even antibiotic resistant strains of the bacterium could be treated with antibiotic aztreonam when used in conjunction with a compound found in green tea.
The compound, epigallocatechin (EGCG), is thought to increase the permeability of the bacteria, which makes it easier for antibiotics to get into the cells. Finding natural products like EGCG that can improve the disease fighting ability of existing antibiotics will be a useful tool in the fight against drug resistant bacteria.
Source: Medical News Today
Read more: http://ow.ly/ejio50wIT06
