Fungi naturally produce many compounds that kill harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review explores how these fungal compounds could replace antibiotics that no longer work due to drug resistance. These natural substances could be used not only as medicines but also in cosmetic products to prevent bacterial growth and improve skin health.
Scientists are developing new ways to fight dangerous infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and drug-resistant pathogens. Recent discoveries include safer uses of existing drugs, better dosing strategies tailored to individual patients, and effective combination therapies that reduce antibiotic resistance. These advances represent important progress in treating serious infectious diseases like COVID-19, tuberculosis, and bacterial infections.
Fungal infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to growing drug resistance, affecting millions of people worldwide each year. This research collection explores creative solutions by repurposing existing medications and developing new combination therapies that work better together against resistant fungal species. Studies show promising results combining common antibiotics like minocycline with antifungal drugs, and natural compounds from traditional medicine show potential for treating hard-to-treat infections like Candida and Aspergillus.
Researchers studied how Bunium persicum essential oil and two of its active components work together with the antifungal drug fluconazole to fight resistant Candida yeast infections. They found that cuminaldehyde, one of the oil’s main components, was particularly effective when combined with fluconazole and could trigger yeast cell death. These natural compounds could offer a promising new approach to treating fungal infections that have become resistant to standard medications.
Researchers tested a combination of an old antiparasitic drug called pyrvinium pamoate with common antifungal medications called azoles against dangerous drug-resistant fungal infections. While pyrvinium pamoate alone was not very effective, when combined with azoles it significantly improved the treatment of Candida auris infections. Tests in insect larvae showed that the combination improved survival rates better than using azoles alone, suggesting a promising new treatment approach for serious fungal infections.
Fungal infections are becoming more common and dangerous, especially for people with weakened immune systems, and many fungi are developing resistance to current medications. Doctors and researchers are developing new treatment strategies, including combining multiple drugs together and using advanced technologies to deliver medicines more effectively to infected areas. Natural compounds from plants and new biotechnology tools like genetic engineering and nanoparticles show promising results for fighting drug-resistant fungal infections.
Researchers tested five compounds called naphthoquinones for their ability to fight a dangerous fungal infection called cryptococcosis. They found that one compound called 2-MNQ works especially well when combined with the standard antifungal drug amphotericin B, making the treatment more effective. This discovery could lead to better treatments for people with weakened immune systems who are vulnerable to this infection.
Researchers studied how an essential oil from black cumin seeds (Bunium persicum) and two of its key active components could work together with the antifungal drug fluconazole to fight Candida albicans infections, including drug-resistant strains. Using laboratory tests and computer modeling, they found that cuminaldehyde, one of the main components, was particularly effective when combined with fluconazole, killing yeast cells through multiple mechanisms. This suggests that natural plant compounds could be valuable partners with conventional antifungal medications to overcome drug resistance.
Researchers collected bacteria and fungi from the mouths of pet dogs and cats, as well as environmental soil bacteria, to search for natural antimicrobial compounds. They found that some of these microorganisms produce substances that can kill harmful bacteria like E. coli and fungi like Candida albicans, especially when combined with existing antifungal medications. Notably, one environmental bacterium (Streptomyces) produced a compound that was even effective against fungal strains resistant to common antifungal drugs, suggesting promising new treatment possibilities.
Staurosporine is a natural compound from soil bacteria that can kill fungal infections. While originally known for its anti-cancer properties, scientists have recently rediscovered its strong antifungal activity, especially against dangerous drug-resistant fungi. The challenge is that it also damages human cells, but researchers are developing improved versions and combination treatments to make it safer and more effective.