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A new breakthrough in tuberculosis (TB) research could bring us closer to more effective treatments, thanks to an ancient African medicinal plant. A recent study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology reveals that a compound derived from African wormwood (Artemisia afra) holds promise in targeting both active and dormant forms of the tuberculosis-causing bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The research, led by a team from Penn State University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, identified an O-methylflavone compound in African wormwood that can effectively kill TB bacteria in both its replicating state and its more resistant, hypoxic state. This is particularly significant because TB bacteria can enter a hibernation-like state when under stress, such as from drug treatment or the immune system. This dormant form of the bacteria is notoriously difficult to treat, often leading to prolonged infection and the need for extended antibiotic courses.
Potential New Avenue for TB Treatment
Dr. Joshua Kellogg, assistant professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences at Penn State, highlighted the importance of this discovery, noting that the work marks a crucial first step in developing new therapies for TB. “Now that we’ve isolated this compound, we can move forward with examining and experimenting with its structure to see if we can improve its activity and make it even more effective against tuberculosis,” Kellogg said.
Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world, responsible for around 1.5 million deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite existing therapies, treating TB is a long and complex process. Standard treatment can last six months, while drug-resistant strains may require up to two years of therapy, adding to the challenge of combating the disease.
The ability to target both active and dormant forms of M. tuberculosis represents a significant breakthrough. As Kellogg explained, the bacteria’s ability to shut down many of its cellular processes when under attack makes it difficult to eradicate. “This makes it really hard to kill those hibernating cells,” he said, emphasizing the need for new chemical agents capable of overcoming this defense mechanism.
The Power of Traditional Medicine
African wormwood has been used for centuries in traditional African medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory conditions like coughs and fevers. In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring the plant’s potential to treat tuberculosis. The research team conducted a detailed analysis of the plant’s raw extract, separating it into chemical fractions and testing each one against M. tuberculosis.
“We found that some fractions were highly effective in killing the bacteria, both in its active and dormant states,” Kellogg noted. “This allowed us to narrow our focus to the most promising compounds.”
Machine learning models were also employed to correlate the chemical structures of the fractions with their biological activity. From this, the researchers isolated an O-methylflavone compound that demonstrated significant bactericidal properties. This is particularly rare in TB treatments, where most drugs primarily target the bacteria in its active form.
Future Directions
Although the O-methylflavone compound shows potential, its current potency is too low for use as a direct TB treatment. However, Kellogg and his team believe that with further research, it may be possible to enhance the compound’s activity and use it as a foundation for developing more potent drugs. Additionally, they suspect there may be other similar compounds in African wormwood that also possess anti-TB properties.
“While the potency of this compound is too low to use directly as an anti-Mtb treatment, it may still be able to serve as the foundation for designing more potent drugs,” Kellogg explained.
As tuberculosis continues to pose a major global health challenge, especially with the rise of drug-resistant strains, new treatment strategies are urgently needed. The researchers are optimistic that future studies on African wormwood could lead to the development of innovative therapies that are both effective and affordable.
Collaborative Efforts and Support
The research was a collaborative effort, with co-authors including R. Teal Jordan, a research technologist at Penn State, and Scarlet Shell from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The study received support from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Disease, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
As the scientific community continues to explore the potential of traditional medicinal plants, African wormwood may play a pivotal role in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
