New antibiotics developed from South Asian frog secretions

Scientists have discovered new antibiotics from the secretions of a frog. These antibiotics show promise in battling drug-resistant bacteria. They are as effective as current last-resort antibiotics but do not harm human cells or good gut bacteria. Frogs have developed unique defenses over millions of years. They live in environments rich in bacteria but rarely get infections. This ability suggests they produce strong antimicrobial compounds. A study led by Cesar de la Fuente from the University of Pennsylvania has focused on a specific frog found in South Asia. Previously, researchers found that this frog species releases a peptide with antimicrobial properties. However, this peptide clumps together, which can lead to side effects and limits its use in medicine. De la Fuente and his team worked on improving this peptide through structure-guided design. This process involves making small changes to its chemical structure. After refining the peptide, the researchers tested it against different bacteria. They found their new compounds were effective in preclinical trials, similar to antibiotics like polymyxin B. Importantly, these new antibiotics did not harm human or beneficial bacteria in the gut. The next steps include more testing before applying for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If successful, these findings could lead to new treatments for infections caused by resistant bacteria. De la Fuente expressed excitement about the potential of natural compounds to inspire medical innovations.