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.
Tiny plastic particles called microplastics are spreading through our environment and creating a dangerous partnership with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When these plastics accumulate in soil, water, and even food, they carry bacteria with genes that resist antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. This combined threat to human health can spread through wind, water, and the food chain, requiring urgent action to reduce plastic pollution and antibiotic overuse.
Scientists discovered a fungus living inside a medicinal plant called Vinca minor that produces compounds capable of killing drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. They isolated the main active compound, nectriapyrone, and found it effectively stops the growth of these dangerous bacteria in laboratory tests. The fungus appears to be a promising source of new antibacterial drugs that could help combat the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Stilbenoids are natural compounds found in plants that can fight harmful bacteria and fungi in multiple ways. Unlike traditional antibiotics that only kill microbes, stilbenoids can also prevent infections by disrupting biofilm formation and weakening pathogen virulence. These compounds show promise in combating drug-resistant infections without promoting further resistance development, making them valuable candidates for new antibiotic medicines.