Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology and the biotech company HFPA are working in transforming an Australian plant into an antibiotic due to its antibacterial activity which is similar to the antibiotics used for the Staphylococcus Aureus, commonly known as the Golden Staph.
So far the research team has conducted preclinical tests and will try to get some clinical trials done in 12 months.
The research leader, Dr. Trudi Collet stated that they found the compound in the plant, species 8472 and is effective against the Staphylococcus Aureus just as the standard antibiotics are.
They’re starting a preclinical testing which will focus on absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion in order to gather enough data towards starting clinical trials.
Dr. Collet and his group are working with the Health Focus Products Australia Pty Ltd and have also applied for a funding from the Australian government.
Their tests found out that the native Australian plant is effective as an antibiotic against several bacteria such as Acinetobacterbaumannii, E.coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci.
The project was funded $ 1 million to investigate the plant antibiotic properties and try to create a treatment for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Zika.
Dr. Collet is aware of some plants medical abilities such as wound healing and medicinal plants are a field which is expanding fast. It is known that herbs have treated humans of infections or diseases for centuries.
Many studies have demonstrated that some native Australian plant species can produce active compounds and extracts and will help in healing the wounds.
Dr. Mark Baldock, the HFPA founder said that his company believes in the benefits that medicinal plants can provide and will fund the research in order to give its community the best treatments.
Queensland University of Technology and HFPA have found natural compounds in plants that can kill Zika virus.
