Boosting Antibiotics with Maple Syrup?

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A major challenge being faced by the healthcare world right now is antibiotic resistance. Prolific use of antibiotics has resulted in many strains of bacteria evolving resistance. Some super resistant strains of certain pathogens are even resistant to essentially all conventional antibiotics. To overcome this challenge something need to happen. One major development would be the creation of entirely new classes of antibiotics, which many groups are working on. Another important avenue of research is increase the effectiveness of already existing antibiotics.

When strain of bacteria becomes resistant to an antibiotic, it's not just a magical transformation that makes them impervious. The strain has evolved a new or enhanced a mechanism for effectively counteracting the antibiotic compound. Often a way to pump the compound out of itself, or an enzyme to break it down. So researchers can also attempt to interfere with the mechanisms that give it resistance in the first place. Researchers from McGill University may have found a way to do just that, and from a somewhat unlikely source, maple syrup. (via EurekaAlert)

Despite the fact that we mainly prize it for its sweet flavor, maple syrup isn't just pure sugar. It's full of trace amounts of other organic compounds, many of which contain phenols. Phenols are just a basic group in organic chemistry and are found on a wide range of molecules. The researchers were able to take normal maple syrup and concentrate these phenol rich compounds into an extract. They tested this on several bacteria, including those that cause urinary tract infections and a disease causing strain of E. coli.

On its own the maple syrup extract was only mildly effective, but in combination with conventional antibiotics it was very promising. Together they were able to kill several strains of bacteria more effectively than antibiotics alone. The combination also showed effectiveness on normally resistant bacterial congregations, known as biofilms. Resistant strains as well as biofilms are extremely problematic to treat in healthcare today.

The researchers still need to do animal testing, followed by human clinical trials, but they are hopeful based on these initial results. If the maple extract continues to prove effective, it could be normally prescribed in combination with antibiotics. The enhancing effect of the extract could allow for less antibiotics to be used overall, which may limit the development of further resistance. As well as helping boost aggressive treatments when combating biofilms and resistant strains.