Herbs Against Superbugs

Introduction

Cancer treatments often have the side effect of impairing the patient's immune system. This can result in lifethreatening secondary infections from bacteria and fungi, especially since bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus are becoming multi-drug resistant. A team of Indian researchers have found that asparagus, desert date and fenugreek contain antibiotics that can fight infections in such patients. They tested extracts from the plants on microbes taken from oral cancer patients. The researchers hope the herbal remedies may help develop new treatments for Methi cillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials,

Source

Down To Earth, June 2011