Are Terpenes Key to New Research on Antibiotic-Resistant Viruses?

Recently, researchers have become interested in plant-derived terpenes and their therapeutic abilities. Numerous natural products exhibit therapeutic properties, and these studies show that terpenes and terpenoids have significant potential to treat inflammation and infection.

Although there is still very limited information on the therapeutic properties of these compounds, some researchers have suggested that terpenes could be an effective alternative treatment for several diseases. Some even suggest it may be more effective than available conventional drugs. While we await more convincing and comprehensive evidence, it would be best to familiarize yourself with the available information on the antibiotic properties of plant-derived terpenes.

The future of antibiotic treatment

The world is currently experiencing an antibiotic resistance crisis. If this continues, resistance will develop until people can no longer resist these infections. At this current rate, the future of antibiotic resistance is easy to predict. Treatment options will continue to dwindle until better natural therapeutic options are utilized.

Terpenes are one of the available options to consider for future antibiotic treatment, but the current evidence is insufficient to conclude that this is the best option. The discovery of penicillin marked the beginning of the golden age of antibiotics. But that golden age is almost over. Sure, for a while, all was well and good; Thanks to the misuse (abuse and overuse) of antibiotics, the age of antibiotic resistance is now over.

Therapeutic plant-derived terpenes

Most plants, fruits and vegetables grown on planet earth contain terpenes. These compounds are responsible for the different aroma and flavor profiles of plants.

There are up to thirty thousand different members in the terpene family. Each member is a very diverse natural product, synthesized in unique ways by different plants. They have individual chemical structures that determine their potential therapeutic applications. The terpene family is the largest known group of natural compounds. The easiest way to identify terpenes is based on the number of their isoprene units. A terpene compound with an isoprene unit is called a hemiterpene; one with two units is known as a monoterpene, while three isoprene units are called sesquiterpenes. Cannabis is one of the most common sources of terpenes and terpenoids. The majority of cannabis essential oils are made up of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.

Many years ago, the first antibiotic, penicillin, was derived from natural sources. Since then, several others have also been obtained from living sources, particularly plants. Terpenes extracted from plants like cannabis can fight off antibiotic-resistant infections. At this point, it can be categorically stated that these natural compounds are better at fighting infections that are more tolerant of traditional medicines.

The antimicrobial potential of terpenes

Several studies have highlighted the antimicrobial potential of terpenes. One study revealed that the antibiotic properties of terpenes are due to the hydroxyl groups found in phenols and alcohols.

Another recent study was able to mimic the collective benefits that occur when terpenes are incorporated with antibiotics. One of these drugs is rifampicin. It is given to patients suffering from bacterial infections such as leprosy, tuberculosis, Legionnaires’ disease and Mycobacterium avium complex.

A team of scientists at a laboratory in Rome carefully evaluated all available information to fully understand terpenes’ specific role in killing or limiting the spread of infection in the body. The scientists revealed that the plant-derived terpenes studied are able to reduce and combat antibiotic resistance through various mechanisms.

Critical points in this study include:

The terpene geraniol acts as an efflux pump inhibitor. It shows activity against Enterobacter aerogenes, a gram-negative bacterium. The compound works by reversing chloramphenicol resistance.

Terpenoids such as linalool, borneol, and terpinen-4-ol have synergistic properties that stop or inhibit the proliferation of Salmonella and E. Coli variants. Camphor, another important terpenoid, shows activity by fighting bacterial species like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Camphor has antibacterial properties and can successfully reverse antibiotic resistance to microbes.

Sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, diterpenes and other terpene groups show antibiotic activity against variants of the Streptococcus species. This property helps fight resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Vitexolide Diterpene is exceptionally efficient at repelling multi-drug resistance against gram-positive bacteria. Vitexolide can be obtained from chaste tree and actively fights bacterial species.

Plant-derived terpenes don’t just repel antibiotics; Studies also indicate that they show anti-inflammatory activity.

Learn more about antibiotic resistance

Microorganisms evolve to survive or adapt to the various antimicrobial compounds. Scientists have described these attributes as either resistant or persistent. Resistance is passed from mother cells to daughter cells due to mutations that are passed from generation to generation. On the other hand, persistence refers to the ability of microbes to resist antibiotic effects when they enter the dormant phase of their cycle.

Some of the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance for Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria include restriction of drug uptake, drug inactivation, drug efflux, and mutation or alteration of the drug’s target. When bacterial species mutate, they change their physiological and physical properties to survive in the new environment. These types of bacteria also produce various molecules, or enzymes, that render drugs impotent. This occurs either through covalent bonding or enzymatic processes.

bottom line

Humans are showing an exponential increase in resistance to existing strains of antibiotics. Even the newest antibiotic drugs on the market are not easily broken down in the body, especially those made from similar sources to the existing antibiotics.

All of this means it’s time to try other natural sources that have never been considered before. Terpenes are viable options that have shown good antibiotic resistance-fighting properties. The field of drug research is constantly expanding. Therefore, it would be very useful to explore the likely therapeutic properties of plant-derived terpenes to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

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