A new approach to overcoming antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Traditional Chinese medicine therapy based on the gut microbiota

Revealing the antimicrobial potential of traditional Chinese medicine through text mining and molecular computation

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its extensive knowledge base documented in ancient texts, offers a unique resource for contemporary drug discovery, particularly in combatting microbial infections. The success of antimalarial drugs like artemisinin and artesunate, derived from the TCM herb Artemisia annua L., exemplifies the potential of TCM-derived small molecules. This rich repository of natural products and intricate molecular structures could reveal novel compounds with unexplored mechanisms of action. Our study employs a multifaceted approach that combines text mining, detailed textual analysis, and modern antibacterial molecular prediction methodologies to unlock the potential of ancient TCM remedies. We use external knowledge maps, which include databases of known bioactive compounds and their targets, to identify promising TCM candidates. This approach leverages both historical texts and contemporary scientific data to explore the therapeutic potential of TCM. We discovered that herb patterns DiYu→ZeXie and Kushen→ShengJiang potentially combat both Grams-positive and Grams-negative bacteria. We utilized the AntiBac-Pred online tool to identify and analyze the chemical components of herbs, integrating data from ancient texts and TCMDB@Taiwan external knowledge graph. The DiYu→ZeXie groups showed antimicrobial potential against resistant Staphylococcus simulans, while the Kushen→ShengJiang groups exhibited dual antimicrobial effects against Bacillus subtilis. Exploring TCM's extensive repository offers numerous opportunities for discovering therapeutically active compounds. Our synergistic approach, which combines ancient wisdom with modern science, holds significant promise for enhancing our ability to combat infectious diseases. This method could pave the way for a new era of personalized medicine, addressing the urgent need for innovative treatments against multidrug-resistant bacteria and viruses.

Antibiotic resistance and nanotechnology: A narrative review

The rise of antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to public health worldwide, leading researchers to explore novel solutions to combat this growing problem. Nanotechnology, which involves manipulating materials at the nanoscale, has emerged as a promising avenue for developing novel strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. This cutting-edge technology has gained momentum in the medical field by offering a new approach to combating infectious diseases. Nanomaterial-based therapies hold significant potential in treating difficult bacterial infections by circumventing established drug resistance mechanisms. Moreover, their small size and unique physical properties enable them to effectively target biofilms, which are commonly linked to resistance development. By leveraging these advantages, nanomaterials present a viable solution to enhance the effectiveness of existing antibiotics or even create entirely new antibacterial mechanisms. This review article explores the current landscape of antibiotic resistance and underscores the pivotal role that nanotechnology plays in augmenting the efficacy of traditional antibiotics. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges and opportunities within the realm of nanotechnology for combating antibiotic resistance, while also outlining future research directions in this critical area. Overall, this comprehensive review articulates the potential of nanotechnology in addressing the urgent public health concern of antibiotic resistance, highlighting its transformative capabilities in healthcare.

In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and the underlining mechanism of an empirical herbal formula - Hezi Qingyou

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is thought to primarily colonize the human stomach and lead to various gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastritis and gastric cancer. Currently, main eradication treatment is triple or quadruple therapy centered on antibiotics. Due to antibiotic resistance, the eradication rate of H. pylori is decreasing gradually. Therefore, searching for anti-H. pylori drugs from herbal sources has become a strategy for the treatment. Our team proposed a Hezi Qingyou Formula (HZQYF), composed of Chebulae Fructus, Ficus hirta Vahl and Cloves, and studied its anti-H. pylori activity and mechanism.

Methods

Chemical components of HZQYF were studied using UHPLC-MS/MS and HPLC. Broth microdilution method and agar dilution method were used to evaluate HZQYF's antibacterial activity. The effects of HZQYF on expression of adhesion genes (alpA, alpB, babA), urease genes (ureE, ureF), and flagellar genes (flaA, flaB) were explored using Reverse Transcription-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) technology. Effects on morphology and permeability of the extracellular membrane were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N-phenylnaphthalen-1-amine (NPN) uptake. Effect on urease activity was studied using a urease kinetics analysis in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining method was used to examine the effect on adhesion. Western blot was used to examine the effect on cagA protein.

Results

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the formula against H. pylori clinical strains and standard strains were 80-160 μg/mL, and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were 160-320 μg/mL. The formula could down-regulate the expression of adhesion genes (alpA, alpB, babA), urease genes (ureE, ureF) and flagellar genes (flaA, flaB), change the morphology of H. pylori, increase its extracellular membrane permeability, and decrease its urease activity.

Conclusion

Present studies confirmed that HZQYF had promising in vitro anti-H. pylori activities and demonstrated its possible mechanism of action by down-regulating the bacterial adhesion, urease, and flagellar gene expression, which provided scientific bases for further clinical investigations.