Spit is a veritable germ killer against resistant bacteria

Why we lick bleeding wounds

Many people know the reaction. You cut your finger, it starts to bleed and you instinctively put your finger in your mouth. You can indulge this instinct with a clear conscience, because in saliva certain substances are contained, which kill germs. It is a special peptide, a chain of amino acids that has an antibacterial effect. Researchers at the University of Graz in cooperation with international colleagues have now been able to research an antibacterial agent from human substances that is suitable for medical applications.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 25,000 people in the EU die each year from infections caused by resistant bacteria that they have previously contracted in a healthcare facility. Antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasing problem and scientists are seeking solutions worldwide. Researchers at the University of Graz have now contributed in a study to the solution of this problem. They were able to harness a substance from human substance for use in a drug that has an antibacterial effect - even in resistant bacteria. The results of the study were published in the journal "Science Translational Medicine".

Researchers are developing a new peptide-derived drug that works against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. (Image: phonlamaiphoto / fotolia.com)

Active ingredient against resistant bacteria

"In the body fluid certain substances are contained, which kill germs," ​​explain. Nermina Malanovic and Prof. dr. Karl Lohner of the Institute of Molecular Biosciences of the Karl-Franzens-University Graz in a press release on the study results. The active ingredient is a chain of amino acids that has an antibacterial effect. Such compounds are present in the human body not only in the saliva, but also in the tear fluid and in white blood cells or on the skin. As part of an EU project, the two scientists from the University of Graz were able, together with the Dutch universities in Leiden and Amsterdam, to elucidate the underlying defense mechanism against bacteria.

Which active ingredient is it??

"The positively charged peptide called SAAP-148 dissolves bacterial cell membranes, which consist of negatively charged phospholipids, and in turn destroys the bacteria," explains Nermina Malanovic. The active substance was examined with the help of cell cultures and in animal experiments and could already be successfully tested in the form of a skin cream. The researchers see great potential in the new drug, especially when used against the rapidly increasing number of antibiotic-resistant germs.

Effective action against antibiotic-resistant germs

"We have found that this peptide also has an efficient effect on those bacterial groups that are particularly familiar and massively responsible for the increasing resistance to antibiotics under the abbreviation ESKAPE," reports the research team. Another great advantage of the peptides, according to scientists, is that they can be synthesized easily and inexpensively.

Further projects in planning

A pharmaceutical company involved in the EU project plans to conduct further investigations in cooperation with the University of Graz in order to optimize the efficiency. A resistant biofilm from the peptide for hip or knee prostheses is conceivable in the future. (Vb)