Scientists at Florida International University have discovered arcinothricin (AST), the first natural antibiotic to fight bacterial resistance and malaria, which contains arsenic. The results of the study are presented in the journal. microorganisms.
This substance helps reduce the growth of bacteria resistant to antibiotics. The experts concluded that the drug can fight the bacteria that trigger tuberculosis, as well as the best-known microorganisms, including E. coli.
Arsinothricin, unlike other modern malaria drugs, has also been found to prevent infection by the mosquito parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which causes malaria in humans. At the same time, arsinothricin contains arsenic, but not in its pure form. By examining liver, kidney, and intestinal cells, the scientists found that the new drug only affected the malaria parasite, but did not harm human cells.
To date, scientists have received a patent for the chemical synthesis of AST in the United States. Experts hope to continue researching the drug to understand how it gets into human red blood cells, where it could be even more effective against malaria.
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