Insect brain are rich source of new anti-microbial drugs

Insect brain are rich source of new anti-microbial drugs
Due to enormous use of antibiotics, there is development of drug resistant bacteria and situation is alarming throughout the world because drug resistant bacteria are hard to kill and are serious problem in hospital settings. Recently there is discovery of anti-microbial chemicals from brain of cockroaches and locusts at Nottinghum University.
Simon Lee, a postgraduate researcher who is presenting his work at the Society for General Microbiology's autumn meeting in Nottingham, describes how the group identified up to nine different molecules in the insect tissues that were toxic to bacteria. These substances could lead to novel treatments for multi-drug resistant bacterial infections.
The group found that the tissues of the brain and nervous system of the insects were able to kill more than 90% of Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli, without harming human cells. Studying the specific properties of the antibacterial molecules is currently underway in the laboratory.
The pharmaceutical industry is generating fewer and fewer new antibiotics due to lack of financial incentives, meaning that alternative sources of new drugs are much needed. Mr Lee explained why it is unsurprising that insects secrete their own antimicrobials. "Insects often live in unsanitary and unhygienic environments where they encounter many different types of bacteria. It is therefore logical that they have developed ways of protecting themselves against micro-organisms," he explained.
Source
http://www.sgm.ac.uk/

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