Curcumin enhances bedaquiline against Mycobacterium abscessus infections

Mycobacterium abscessus is a fast-growing bacterium that can cause serious lung and skin infections. People with respiratory issues or weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. This bacterium is resistant to many antibiotics, making treatment challenging and often requiring a year or more with a mix of medications. A recent study from Shanghai Jiao Tong University has found a potential way to enhance treatment for these infections. The researchers discovered that adding curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, boosts the effectiveness of bedaquiline. Bedaquiline is an antibiotic primarily used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Curcumin is known for its low toxicity and has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments. The study suggests that it could improve treatment options for resistant infections, which is especially important for vulnerable populations. Dr. Zhe Wang, the senior author, mentioned that only about half of those treated for M. abscessus become non-infectious. In laboratory tests, bedaquiline initially stopped the growth of M. abscessus but the bacteria regrew after two weeks. When combined with curcumin, the drug prevented the bacteria from multiplying, indicating that curcumin might help overcome antibiotic resistance. The researchers also tested the combination in mice and found it more effective than either treatment alone. The team is now looking into the specific mechanisms that make this combination work and is planning to test it on other resistant strains. They are also conducting safety assessments to prepare for future clinical trials. This research emphasizes the potential of combining existing drugs with natural products to develop new treatments for difficult infections.