New Strategies for Combating Tuberculosis with Repurposed Drugs and Natural Remedies
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 25, 2024 2 hours, 28 minutes ago
Medical News: Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, affecting over 10 million people annually and causing 1.5 million deaths in 2022 alone. Despite being treatable, current TB therapies have significant limitations, including severe side effects and lengthy treatment regimens lasting 6-9 months. Poor adherence to these regimens has contributed to the rise of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), which are increasingly difficult and expensive to treat.
This Medical News report sheds light on emerging strategies to combat TB by targeting the host’s immune response rather than the pathogen itself.
New Strategies for Combating Tuberculosis with Repurposed Drugs and Natural Remedies
The Rise of Host-Directed Therapies
Researchers from the icddr,b (International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh) are pioneering a novel approach known as host-directed therapy (HDT). Unlike traditional treatments targeting the bacteria directly, HDTs aim to bolster the host’s immune system. This approach minimizes the risk of drug resistance and works synergistically with conventional anti-TB medications.
Immune Responses Against TB
TB spreads through airborne particles, and the immune system’s first line of defense involves alveolar macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils. These cells engulf the bacteria and trigger an immune response. However, TB bacteria have evolved mechanisms to evade this response, surviving in dormant states within lung granulomas for years. Recent studies show that HDTs can re-activate these immune responses, targeting dormant bacteria effectively.
Key Findings from the Study
Repurposed Drugs Showing Promise:
-Phenylbutyrate and Vitamin D3: These compounds, when combined, enhance the body’s production of LL-37, an antimicrobial peptide that improves the clearance of TB bacteria. Clinical trials in Bangladesh and Ethiopia have shown significant improvements in patient recovery times.
-Imatinib: Originally a cancer drug, Imatinib promotes phagosome acidification, enhancing the immune system’s ability to kill TB bacteria. Ongoing trials in Vietnam and Nepal are evaluating its potential as an adjunctive TB therapy.
-Metformin: Best known for treating diabetes, Metformin reduces inflammation and lung damage in TB patients. It also supports T-cell function, which is crucial for long-term immunity.
Natural Products Making a Difference:
-Curcumin: Derived from turmeric, curcumin enhances the fusion of phagosomes and lysosomes in immune cells, leading to improved bacterial clearance. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have improved its bioavailability, making it a strong candidate for clinical applic
ation.
-Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG): Found in green tea, EGCG promotes autophagy - a process that helps immune cells digest TB bacteria.
-Silymarin: This compound from milk thistle has shown protective effects against liver toxicity caused by TB medications, while also boosting the body’s immune response.
Challenges and Future Directions
While HDTs offer a promising alternative, there are challenges to overcome. Repurposed drugs need thorough evaluation for safety and efficacy in diverse populations. Natural products often face hurdles related to bioavailability and standardization of dosages. Nonetheless, ongoing clinical trials worldwide are paving the way for these therapies to complement or even replace existing treatments.
Conclusions
The findings underscore a paradigm shift in TB treatment. By leveraging the host’s immune system, HDTs can not only improve treatment outcomes but also reduce the likelihood of drug resistance. Combined with natural products, these therapies offer a holistic approach to combating TB. While challenges remain, the potential benefits far outweigh the risks.
As the study authors note, "The integration of HDTs into standard TB treatment regimens could significantly improve patient outcomes, particularly in regions where drug-resistant TB is prevalent." This holistic approach could pave the way for shorter, more effective treatment regimens with fewer side effects.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Biomolecules.
https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/14/12/1497
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/restoring-immunity-to-fight-tuberculosis
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/low-vitamin-c-levels-associated-with-persistent-tuberculosis-symptoms
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/tuberculosis-tb-news
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