What is it about?
Combination of aquo-ethanolic extract of Camellia sinensis (PTRC-31911-A) and standard 3rd line antibiotic(s) was found to be effective in mitigating Carbapenem Resistant Escherichia coli at even micrograms level. Such bactericidal activity was found to be correlated with the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and gallo-tannins in the said extract.
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Why is it important?
Our findings clearly establishes the synergistic activity of Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) with third line antibiotics, thereby managing Multi-Drug Resistant microorganisms. This synergistic herb-drug interaction also augments the activity of antibiotics, which further leads to widen the margin of safety of the drug by lowering the effective dose of drug. Such combinations are safer to use as they aid in minimizing toxicity of antibiotics in the presence of safer alternatives. Additionally, herbal drugs are holistic in nature and hence modus operandi, they target multiple virulence factors of the pathogen. Such holistic strategy outrules the chances of further re-emergence of resistant microbial strains.
Perspectives
We all have read the famous saying that 'Two Heads are Better than One'. This manuscript exactly decodes the above saying. Antibiotic monotherapy might have certain limitations i.e., emergence of drug resistance; organ toxicity at high dosage of antibiotics; not absolute for treatment of debilitating disorders/ ailments. In such cases, herbal products turn out to be the safest alternative to use either as an adjuvant to antibiotics or sometimes even as holistic medication altogether. This article explains the ameliorating effect of Camellia sinensis in combination with 3-line antibiotics. Such studies could further be conducted with different plant extracts and antibiotic combinations, so as to increase the therapeutic preparedness for re-emerging and drug resistant pathogens.
Ms Pallavi Thakur
Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organisation
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Camellia sinensis Ameliorates the Efficacy of Last Line Antibiotics Against Carbapenem Resistant Escherichia coli, Phytotherapy Research, December 2015, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5535.
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