Researchers at the University of Kent announced on Apr. 9 that madecassic acid, a compound commonly found in Korean skincare products, may have significant potential as an antibacterial drug.
The discovery comes amid rising concerns about antibiotic resistance, which is expected to cause millions of deaths worldwide in the coming decades. Scientists are searching for new ways to combat drug-resistant bacteria, and advances such as this could help address a growing public health challenge.
The research team from Kent's School of Natural Sciences, working with colleagues at University College London, used computational screening and laboratory experiments to test madecassic acid. This natural chemical is derived from Centella asiatica, an herb widely used in Asia. The study found that madecassic acid can inhibit the growth of antibiotic-resistant E. coli by binding strongly to the cytochrome bd complex—a protein essential for many pathogenic bacteria but not present in humans or animals. By disrupting this protein’s function, madecassic acid shows promise as an alternative antimicrobial agent.
According to the researchers, one benefit of madecassic acid is its structure allows for modification. The team isolated it from plant extracts in Vietnam and created three different variants; all were able to inhibit cytochrome bd and halt bacterial growth. One variant was also effective at killing E. coli at higher concentrations.
The findings may also shed light on how ingredients like madecassic acid impact skin bacteria when used in cosmetic products.
Lead author Dr Mark Shepherd said: "Plants have been a source of natural medicines for millennia, and now contemporary research approaches can reveal the mechanisms of action. This is an exciting time, and we hope to further our understanding of natural antimicrobials from plants, nature's great chemical factories."
