Monday, September 6, 2010

Insect brains 'are source of antibiotics' to fight MRSA

American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Cockroaches, far from being a health hazard, could be a rich source of antibiotics.

A study of locust and cockroach brains has found a number of chemicals which can kill bugs like MRSA.

Scientists hope these could become a powerful new weapon to boost the dwindling arsenal of antibiotics used to treat severe bacterial infections.

The research was announced at a meeting of the Society for General Microbiology.

The researchers discovered nine different chemicals in the brains of locusts and cockroaches, which all had anti microbrial properties strong enough to kill 90% of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) while not harming human cells.

Cockroaches have a reputation for tenacity and for thriving in dirty environments.

Simon Lee from Nottingham University is the author of the study. He said that it is this capacity to live in dirty, infectious conditions that mean insect brains contain these kinds of compounds.

"They must have some sort of defense against micro organisms. We think their nervous system needs to be continuously protected because if the nervous system goes down the insect dies. But they can suffer damage to their peripheral structures without dying," he told BB News. ...

via BBC News - Insect brains 'are source of antibiotics' to fight MRSA.

1 comment:

Martin Schumann said...

They already have a something that kills MRSA dead in its tracks but they won’t acknowledge it because the Pharmaceuticals can’t patent it. It is a natural substance called Colloidal Silver it kills it dead within 6 minutes of coming in contact with it. You will never see it on the market with an FDA stamp.