Green tea may help fight antibiotic resistant bacteria

September 24, 2019  20:24

The natural antioxidant, usually found in green tea, can help eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This conclusion was made by scientists from the University of Surrey, MedicalXpress reported.

Research has shown that epigallocatechin (EGCG) can restore the activity of aztreonam, an antibiotic commonly used to treat infections caused by the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Aeruginosa is associated with serious infections of the respiratory tract and blood flow and in recent years has become resistant to many major classes of antibiotics. A combination of antibiotics is currently used to control P. aeruginosa. However, these infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat, as there is resistance to last-line antibiotics.

To evaluate the synergism of EGCG and aztreonam, the researchers conducted in vitro tests to analyze how they interact with P. aeruginosa, individually and in combination. A team of researchers found that the combination of aztreonam and EGCG was significantly more effective in reducing the number of P. aeruginosa than one of these drugs.

Researchers believe that with P. aeruginosa, EGCG may increase the absorption of aztreonam by increasing bacterial permeability. Another potential mechanism is EGCG interference in the biochemical pathway associated with antibiotic sensitivity.

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