New Delhi, March 27 -- A research team at IIT Roorkee has identified a natural compound that can help weaken persistent superbugs and enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics. The study suggests that thymol - a plant-based compound commonly found in thyme - may help weaken persister cells seen particularly in the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii. It is known for causing persistent and chronic infections in hospitals.

The findings, published in the Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Journal, can also make last-resort antibiotics like meropenem more effective. Preliminary findings indicate that thymol, in combination with meropenem, enhances the antibiotic's activity, offering a potential approach for tackling persistent infections. ...