Cockroaches could help fight deadly infections, say UK scientists
- NewsCore
- September 07, 2010
COCKROACHES could be more of a health benefit than a health hazard, as their brains contain powerful antibiotic properties which could lead to new treatments against superbugs.
Experts from The University of Nottingham, central England, discovered that the insects - commonly seen as unhygienic pests - contain powerful antibiotic properties in their brain tissue and nervous system which are able to kill more than 90 percent of MRSA and E. coli bacteria, without harming human cells.
Simon Lee, a postgraduate researcher at the university, said his research identified up to nine different molecules in the insect tissues that were toxic to bacteria.
“We hope that these molecules could eventually be developed into treatments for E. coli and MRSA infections that are increasingly resistant to current drugs," he said.
“We hope that these molecules could eventually be developed into treatments for E. coli and MRSA infections that are increasingly resistant to current drugs," he said.
"These new antibiotics could potentially provide alternatives to currently available drugs that may be effective but have serious and unwanted side effects.”
(news.co.au.)
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