Groundbreaking Discovery: Natural Antibiotic Found to Combat Bacterial Resistance and Malaria

Hany Kamal El-Din ـ        

Scientists at the International University of Florida have discovered arsenotricin (AST), the first natural Antibiotic that fights bacterial resistance and malaria and contains arsenic. The research findings have been published in the journal Microorganisms.

This compound helps reduce the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Researchers have concluded that the drug can combat well-known microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, as well as bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

Moreover, it has been found that arsenotricin, unlike other modern antimalarial drugs, prevents the infection of Plasmodium falciparum parasites, which cause malaria in humans. While arsenotricin contains arsenic, it does not harm human cells after studying liver, kidney, and intestinal cells. The new drug specifically targets malaria parasites without damaging human cells.

Scientists have obtained a patent for the chemical synthesis of AST in the US. They plan to continue studying the medication to understand how it penetrates human red blood cells, where it can be even more effective in combating malaria.

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