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In 2017, a devastating event occurred at a hospital in Nevada when a woman who had been admitted for pneumonia tragically died from multiple organ failure and sepsis caused by an exceptionally resistant strain of bacteria. This strain had developed resistance to an astonishing 26 different antibiotics, underscoring the growing global concern surrounding antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often referred to as superbugs.
In a promising development to combat these dangerous pathogens, researchers at Texas A&M University have explored the potential of curcumin, the active compound responsible for the vibrant yellow color in turmeric, as a means to diminish antibiotic resistance.
The researchers discovered that administering curcumin to bacteria as a nutrient, then activating it with light, instigates harmful reactions within the microbes, ultimately leading to their destruction. This innovative approach not only decreases the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains but also enhances the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics.
Findings from this research are detailed in the journal Scientific Reports.
Historically, infectious diseases were the predominant causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The introduction of antibiotics revolutionized medicine and contributed to a significant increase in life expectancy, averaging an additional 23 years. However, the past few decades have seen a stagnation in the development of new antibiotics, coinciding with a rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, ushering in the era of superbugs such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, and drug-resistant pneumonia. Alarmingly, infectious diseases are projected to reclaim their status as leading causes of death, potentially claiming up to 10 million lives annually.
“The emergence of bacteria that resist standard antibiotics signals what we can call an antibiotic catastrophe,” explained Dr. Vanderlei Bagnato, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and senior author of the study. “To address this pressing issue, alternative methods are needed to either eliminate superbugs or modify natural bacterial processes, thereby restoring antibiotic efficacy.”
Bacterial populations exhibit natural variability, resulting in differences in how individual cells behave, particularly in their responses to antibiotics. Such diversity can contribute to treatment resistance, as some strains might survive antimicrobial treatment and reproduce. Consequently, the research team aimed to reduce this heterogeneity to better manage bacterial resistance.
Photodynamic inactivation, a method showing promise in dealing with bacterial resistance, utilizes light along with light-sensitive agents known as photosensitizers to create reactive oxygen species that disrupt the metabolic functions of microorganisms. The researchers specifically tested curcumin, a natural bacterial food, on antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to amoxicillin, erythromycin, and gentamicin.
In their experiments, the team exposed bacteria to multiple cycles of light before comparing the minimum antibiotic concentration required to kill the bacteria that had undergone light exposure against those that had not.
“When we deal with a mixed bacterial population, some of which are resistant, photodynamic inactivation allows us to narrow down the bacterial diversity, resulting in strains that are more uniform in their antibiotic responses,” noted Bagnato. “This significantly aids in predicting the exact antibiotic dosage necessary to eliminate the infection.”
The researchers emphasized that utilizing photodynamic inactivation with curcumin exhibits substantial potential as a supplementary treatment alongside antibiotics for illnesses like pneumonia, which are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
“This method provides a cost-effective treatment option, which is vital for lowering healthcare costs in both developing nations as well as the United States,” remarked Dr. Vladislav Yakovlev, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and a co-author of the study. “Additionally, it could have applications in military medicine, potentially aiding in the treatment of battlefield injuries and curbing the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance—an issue of critical importance in combat scenarios.”
The research team included Dr. Jennifer Soares as the primary author and Dr. Kate Blanco from the Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Brazil, contributing to the study.
This research initiative received financial backing from multiple valuable sources, including the São Paulo Research Foundation, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Governor’s University Research Initiative, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the National Institutes of Health.
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