SBP 16 - Nature's Remedies for Modern Threats: organic herbs Combat Biofilms and Superbugs

Antibiotic resistance has become a global health threat, bacterial shows resistant against antibiotics du

e to biofilm formation. Superbugs or antibiotic-resistant bacteria, have evolved or genetically modified with time to become resistant against most potent antibiotics, marked as critical thread to public health. Microscopic examination showed bacteria’s surrounded by a slimy fortresses shield to protect themselves, which is known as biofilm. It allows bacteria to exchange genetic material, and antibiotic resistant genes in a protective environment, that contribute significantly to increase evolution of superbugs or antibiotic-resistant. 

Our project brings up with natural solutions to combat against biofilm forming bacteria’s. This project investigates the efficacy of three medicinal plants, Neem (Azadirachta indica), white sage (Salvia apiana), and anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) against superbugs and biofilms

Our project employs microtiter plate-based using 96 well plate analysis to:

• Determine the antibacterial efficacy of neem, white sage, and anise hyssop against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains.
• Assess their ability to inhibit biofilm formation, a key survival mechanism for many pathogens 
• Compare these natural alternatives to conventional antibiotic.

We study the effect of herbs on both Gram-positive (such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative bacteria (like Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This allow us to evaluate the unique challenges posed by each type of bacterial strain and to rule out the effectiveness of our study against each type. As, the Gram-negative bacteria has complex outer membrane which act as barrier against antibiotics, whereas the resistance mechanism of Gram-positive is due to their thick, porous peptidoglycan layer. 

The purpose of addressing this issue at the outset is to highlight the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. let’s take a scenario of a simple cut, it could be life threatening due to uncontrollable antibiotic resistant bacterial infection, even routine surgeries can be high risk procedure due to bacterial contaminated surgical apparatuses or due to after surgery bacterial infection in patients. Because, we are exposed to millions of bacteria’s, so if they become resistant against antibiotics that would be an alarming public health problem. So, our aim is to raise awareness about the need for action to prevent further harm to public health."

Therefore we came up with the solution of using herbs: 

Neem, is used as traditional medicine for centuries, and it has shown remarkable antibacterial activity against various pathogens. It has compounds that not only kill bacteria but also capable of inhibiting biofilm formation. White sage, an indigenous plant used by Native American tribes, possess antimicrobial properties. Various studies shows it is effective against various pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Anise hyssop, is another indigenous herb traditionally used by Native American tribes, has antioxidant properties and potential used as an antiviral agent. it also has the ability to relieve respiratory problems, thus helps in treating various infections.

So these plants are not the gentle alternatives but they are also effective against superbugs and biofilm inhibition. Our research aims to develop a safer and novel drug, thaProject Description 

Antibiotic resistance has become a global health threat, bacterial shows resistant against antibiotics du

e to biofilm formation. Superbugs or antibiotic-resistant bacteria, have evolved or genetically modified with time to become resistant against most potent antibiotics, marked as critical thread to public health. Microscopic examination showed bacteria’s surrounded by a slimy fortresses shield to protect themselves, which is known as biofilm. It allows bacteria to exchange genetic material, and antibiotic resistant genes in a protective environment, that contribute significantly to increase evolution of superbugs or antibiotic-resistant. 

Our project brings up with natural solutions to combat against biofilm forming bacteria’s. This project investigates the efficacy of three medicinal plants, Neem (Azadirachta indica), white sage (Salvia apiana), and anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) against superbugs and biofilms

Our project employs microtiter plate-based using 96 well plate analysis to:

• Determine the antibacterial efficacy of neem, white sage, and anise hyssop against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains.
• Assess their ability to inhibit biofilm formation, a key survival mechanism for many pathogens 
• Compare these natural alternatives to conventional antibiotic.

We study the effect of herbs on both Gram-positive (such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative bacteria (like Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This allow us to evaluate the unique challenges posed by each type of bacterial strain and to rule out the effectiveness of our study against each type. As, the Gram-negative bacteria has complex outer membrane which act as barrier against antibiotics, whereas the resistance mechanism of Gram-positive is due to their thick, porous peptidoglycan layer. 

The purpose of addressing this issue at the outset is to highlight the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. let’s take a scenario of a simple cut, it could be life threatening due to uncontrollable antibiotic resistant bacterial infection, even routine surgeries can be high risk procedure due to bacterial contaminated surgical apparatuses or due to after surgery bacterial infection in patients. Because, we are exposed to millions of bacteria’s, so if they become resistant against antibiotics that would be an alarming public health problem. So, our aim is to raise awareness about the need for action to prevent further harm to public health."

Therefore we came up with the solution of using herbs: 

Neem, is used as traditional medicine for centuries, and it has shown remarkable antibacterial activity against various pathogens. It has compounds that not only kill bacteria but also capable of inhibiting biofilm formation. White sage, an indigenous plant used by Native American tribes, possess antimicrobial properties. Various studies shows it is effective against various pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Anise hyssop, is another indigenous herb traditionally used by Native American tribes, has antioxidant properties and potential used as an antiviral agent. it also has the ability to relieve respiratory problems, thus helps in treating various infections.

So these plants are not the gentle alternatives but they are also effective against superbugs and biofilm inhibition. Our research aims to develop a safer and novel drug, that is more accessible, and cheaper, to combat resistant bacterial species. which can not only helps in resolving health problems like infections, dental health to chronic diseases, but can also use in medical device coating, food packaging to resistant bacterial growth that can spoil food and in agriculture water purification.

We can also enhance the activity of these herbal drugs by herbal-antibiotic synergy (combining traditional herbs with conventional antibiotics).   

By the traditional knowledge of indigenous herbs we can not only fight with bacteria, but also developing a healthier future without the threat of untreatable infections.t is more accessible, and cheaper, to combat resistant bacterial species. which can not only helps in resolving health problems like infections, dental health to chronic diseases, but can also use in medical device coating, food packaging to resistant bacterial growth that can spoil food and in agriculture water purification.

We can also enhance the activity of these herbal drugs by herbal-antibiotic synergy (combining traditional herbs with conventional antibiotics).   

By the traditional knowledge of indigenous herbs we can not only fight with bacteria, but also developing a healthier future without the threat of untreatable infections.