African plant root, Paullinia pinnata, may be the answer to MRSA

A plant root used in Africa as a traditional remedy could hold the key to combating the potentially fatal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection, according to research findings presented today at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester.

Pharmacists at King's College London have discovered that the roots of the shrub Paullinia pinnata possess anti-bacterial properties that are effective against MRSA.

MRSA infections are difficult to combat because the bacteria involved have developed complete resistance to certain antibiotics. Usually it is hospital patients with weakened immune systems who are most likely to become infected.

The Paullinia pinnata root has been traditionally used in the treatment of wounds in rural populations in Ghana, and is now being used widely in cities.

The research team tested extracts in the root of the Paullinia pinnata plant on wounds in rats. They found the extracts to be anti-bacterial and effective against certain strains of MRSA. In addition, the extracts were found to work as an antioxidant, which helps in the healing process by boosting the immune system and helping the growth of new cells.

Pharmacist Kofi Annan, member of the Pharmacognosy Research Group at the Department of Pharmacy, King's College London said that the results were "fantastic".

"This plant has never been researched scientifically," he explains. "We were surprised and excited by the results and think that the Paullinia pinnata root could hold the key to the future treatment of MRSA."