Microbial Disorders
Some harmful pathogens can invade the body of humans and cause different infectious diseases. These are termed microbial pathogens and the diseases caused by them are termed infections.
Around less than 1% of bacteria on earth are pathogenic and have the potential to enter the human body and cause diseases.
These microorganisms can enter the human body through multiple routes. The major routes used by these organisms to enter the body and cause disease are:
Respiratory tract including mouth and the nose.
GI tract.
Skin if there are some breaks on its surface.
Urinogenital tract
After entering the body, these microorganisms reach the target site where they have to attack their host [1].
At the target site, they keep on multiplying to increase their number.
They start obtaining their nutrients and food from the host once they get attached to their target site.
They also protect themselves from the attack of the immune system of the host and it is necessary for their survival in the body of the host.
So, they keep surviving and infecting the body of the host [2].
Risk Factors and Strategies for Prevention of Microbial Infections
Research studies have highlighted different factors that are associated with increasing the risk for microbes to attack the body of a person.
The following factors have been reported, exposure to any of these increases the chances of getting pathogenic infections.
Age
Gender
Family history
Socioeconomic status
Behavior
Poor hygiene
No access to safe drinking water
Unsanitary living style
Using contaminated food
Use of contaminated water for drinking purposes
Similarly, if the immune system of a person is weak due to some other disease or by use of some medications, this can also increase the risk of getting infections by microorganisms as the immune system cannot detect them [3].
If a person is continuously being exposed to some environmental factors such as pesticides and other polluting agents, this can also increase the risk of getting pathogenic infections.
If these factors are identified and exposure to them is reduced, then ultimately the risk of getting the infections is also decreased.
Some strategies have also been devised that can help the person in the prevention of infectious disorders. These include:
Vaccination
Safe handling and preparation of food
No use of contaminated water
Hand hygiene
Proper sanitation system
Other hygiene practices
So, by using these practices, the risk of getting infections from microorganisms can be prevented [4].
Anti-microbial Agents
The substances that are used to kill the microbes such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, and other parasites or stop their growth are termed anti-microbial agents.
These anti-microbial substances are classified into different types and this classification is based on the function that substance is performing. Such as fungicidal is the agent that will kill the fungi while bacteriostatic is the one that will stop the growth of bacteria. Similarly, many other such agents are available in the market.
These substances can be natural or synthetically produced and they help in killing the microbes by different mechanisms or processes such as:
They can disrupt the cell wall of pathogens.
They can break the cell membrane of microbes.
They can also interfere with the DNA replication processes in the nucleus of pathogens.
The substance can also alter the signal transduction pathways in pathogen so that it can not perform its function well.
These substances also have the potential to interfere with the protein synthesis mechanisms of pathogens.
These substances may have side effects along with treating the infections caused by pathogens in the human body and should be used if prescribed by the physician.
Nowadays, science is moving towards herbal medications that have the least side effects. Berberine is one such herbal compound that has no side effects and acts very effectively against pathogens. Another positive point of using this compound is that it is a scientifically proven compound [5].
Berberine
Berberis aristata is a plant that belongs to the family Berberidaceae and is commonly known as “Daruhaldi” in India.
The roots of this plant (shrub) are the value of high significance in Ayurveda due to their pharmacological benefits for several human diseases.
It is mostly used as an anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-diarrheal agent. It reduces inflammation and strengthens the heart through its cardioprotective action.
The bioactive component in these roots is Berberine HCL which is responsible for its biological actions.
Berberine is found to have positive outcomes in many bad health conditions [6].
Berberine as an Anti-microbial Agent
Berberine is an important compound that is proven by research studies to have roles in killing different types of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, and viruses that cause diseases in humans.
Experimental findings have shown that berberine can kill pathogens as well as stop their growth within the body of the host to make their survival difficult and to alleviate the symptoms in patients caused by infection.
It can stop the formation of biofilms in the pathogens and can also inhibit their division as well as protein synthesis.
It has been found through different experimental studies that this crucial compound is very effective in killing the gram-positive bacteria that are actually the reason behind many deadly infections.
It has negligible side effects and is very effective in treating patients with pathogenic infections [7].
Mechanism of Action of Berberine as an Anti-microbial Agent
Different in vitro and in vivo studies have been performed to study the processes by which berberine acts to kill the pathogen.
These studies have shown that berberine can kill pathogens using multiple processes.
Berberine can interfere with the cell membrane of the pathogen, disrupting its structure, which ultimately results in the death of the cell and pathogen because the integrity of the cell is lost when the cell membrane is damaged [8].
Moreover, studies have shown that berberine can stop the multiplication or division of pathogens in the human body by targeting the protein synthesis machinery in the body of pathogens and thus inhibiting the process of translation.
It has also been found that berberine can stop the formation of biofilms by pathogens, thus making their survival difficult within the human body.
So, by acting through any of these processes, berberine can kill the pathogen or microbe and cures the infection with no side effects. It has been proven to be a promising therapy in this regard [9].
Preclinical and Clinical Trials Data
Different experiments have been performed on animal models as well as on human patients to check the safety and efficacy of berberine in treating microbial infections.
All these trials have shown berberine as a promising therapy for killing microbes and treating infections caused by them in humans.
The experimental study on the rat model showed that berberine can kill the bacterial pathogen by inhibiting the metabolic pathways within its body and can reduce the symptoms caused by bacterial infections.
Clinical Trial on Patients with Bacterial Vaginosis
A clinical study was performed on 60 women with bacterial vaginosis which is an infection of the vagina caused by bacterial pathogens.
These women were divided into two groups, one group was given a placebo three times a day while the other group was given 500mg of berberines thrice a day.
After some specific period of time, results were examined and compared in both groups of patients.
It was found that the women who were given berberine had a huge reduction in their symptoms of the disorder as compared to the patients who were just given the placebo.
This study also showed that the chances of recurrence of infection were lower in the group treated with berberine as compared to other groups.
This trial showed that berberine is very safe and effective in treating bacterial vaginosis in human patients. As it has no side effects so it can be given to patients for positive outcomes [10].
Clinical Trial on Helicobacter pylori Patients
Another clinical trial study to check the effectiveness of the berberine compound was performed on patients who were infected with Helicobacter pylori. This pathogen causes gastrointestinal tract disorders in humans.
This study consisted of 123 patients, and they all had H. Pylori infection.
These patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group was given berberine compound while the other group of patients was given antibiotics to cure the infection.
The results of this study showed that both the antibiotics, as well as berberine, were able to cure the disorder.
But it was found that the antibiotics used have adverse side effects while no side effects were observed in the patients who were treated with berberine [11].
So berberine was proven to be safer and more effective against pathogenic microbes.
Conclusion
Berberine is an important herbal compound that has multiple health benefits.
It is an important anti-microbial agent which can kill pathogens by acting on them via different mechanisms of action as mentioned in this article.
Different experimental studies have proven the effectiveness and safety of berberine as an anti-microbial agent.
Berberine can be a promising therapy in killing microbes and fighting infections.
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