Ancient antibiotics from the medieval era are effective against dangerous superbugs.

Overview

Approximately half of the pathogens causing infections after surgeries and a quarter of those causing infections following cancer chemotherapy have developed resistance to antibiotics.

These drug-resistant bacteria lead to 700,000 deaths worldwide annually. This number is expected to significantly increase in the future, with a projected death toll of 10 million by 2050.

To tackle this concerning trend, researchers in the United Kingdom investigated the efficacy of ancient treatments known as "ancientbiotics."

One particular ancient remedy showed promising results.

In response to the escalating problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a diverse team at the University of Warwick in England explored ancient remedies.

In a medical book from the 10th century, researchers discovered a remedy called Bald'sLeekbrook, known for its effectiveness against eye infections.

The team replicated this thousand-year-old remedy by using garlic (allium sativum) and another allium species referred to in Old English as cropleac. Since the exact identity of this species was unknown, both onion and leek were separately included in the formula for testing.

The researchers crushed these plants and mixed them with equal parts of wine and ox gall (bovine bile) according to the recipe. They then evaluated the remedy's effectiveness.

How Do Superbugs Develop Resistance?

Bacteria display various characteristics, but their growth patterns are generally consistent. They can exist as single free-floating cells known as planktonic or as multicellular structures called biofilms. The latter form a protective barrier that obstructs antibiotic penetration, similar to a moat surrounding each bacterium!

Dealing with bacterial biofilms is challenging and often requires significantly higher antibiotic concentrations compared to planktonic bacteria. In some instances, biofilm-associated bacteria may be resistant to antibiotic treatment regardless of the dosage.

Bald’s Leechbrook Triumphs Over Superbugs

The scientists initially tested Bald'sLeekbrook on planktonic cultures of various antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause infections such as lung and skin infections, combat wounds, surgical sites, and device-related infections.

The remedy successfully eradicated almost all of these bacteria.

Subsequently, the researchers exposed the same pathogens, now grown as antibiotic-resistant biofilms, to the treatment. Many of these bacteria form biofilms in untreatable diabetic ulcers, resulting in a high number of amputations annually in the United States.

To mimic real-world conditions, the ancientbiotics research team created a model of a soft-tissue biofilm wound and treated it with the Bald’sLeekbrook preparation used in the planktonic experiments.

The outcomes revealed that the remedy completely eliminated three bacterial species and notably reduced viable cell counts in two others, including the superbug MRSA.

Dr. Freya Harrison, a member of the research team, stated, "We have shown that a medieval remedy consisting of onion, garlic, wine, and bile can effectively combat a range of problematic bacteria in both planktonic and biofilm forms."

Dr. Harrison emphasized that the remedy showed minimal harm to human cells in laboratory tests and mice, indicating its potential as a safe and effective antibacterial treatment.

Synergy is the Key

During their investigations, the ancientbiotics team found that the individual ingredients of the Bald’sLeekbrook recipe did not exhibit the same effectiveness as when combined. This discovery highlighted the importance of synergy.

They observed that "the combination of all ingredients is essential for potent activity [and] considering natural products in this way could uncover a vast reservoir of antimicrobials..."

Dr. Harrison further explained, "In this instance, we believe this combination could provide new treatments for infected wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers."

The holistic approach in natural medicine acknowledges the collective power of ingredients working together to improve patient outcomes. This contrasts with conventional medicine's emphasis on isolating single active compounds for drug development and patenting.

The recent study supports the notion that modern medicine can gain valuable insights from ancient healing practices and their "ancientbiotics."