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Ancient Origins of Antibiotics

Breaking down the microbiology world one bite at a time

Ancient Origins of Antibiotics

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georgiadittemore

At this point, we should all be familiar with the story of Alexander Fleming and the discovery of penicillin. A true tale of serendipity, this modern-day antibiotic was isolated completely by chance when Fleming observed that his staphylococcal bacteria were dying in proximity to contaminating mold colonies. Fleming’s discovery launched the world into the golden age of antibiotics – medicine was at an all-time discovery high. But what if I told you that this was not the real beginning to our antibiotics story?

In actuality, the origins of common antibiotics span far beyond the 20th century. While humanity had not yet invented the tools used to isolate, characterize, and mass-produce modern antibiotics, society was nevertheless developing treatment strategies for common infections. People didn’t need Robert Hooke’s description of a microorganism in 1665 to tell them when others were sick; assuming otherwise is a reductionist product of western medicine.

The oldest written record of the use of mold to treat infections comes from the Ebers Papyrus, dated 1550 B.C. The Ebers Papyrus was a compilation of all medicinal treatments known to the ancient Egyptians, with formulas and folk remedies used to cure a variety of afflictions. In the case of infections, moldy bread was applied directly to wounds. We now know (thanks, in part, to Alexander Fleming) that certain molds secrete antimicrobial compounds, but even without this knowledge in 1550 BC, people still found ways to overcome disease.  

Timeline depicting the use of a few, key natural remedies for bacterial infections, including penicillin as a reference.
Timeline depicting the use of a few, key natural remedies for bacterial infections, including penicillin as a reference.

Other highlights throughout the centuries include a variety of molds, pastes, and extracts as seen in the figure above. In central Asia, a paste prepared from chewed barley and apple was left to mold and then applied to the surface of infected wounds. Crediting the use of antimicrobials, bones recovered from Sudanese Nubia dated A.D. 350 to 550 contained traces of tetracyclines, a modern class of antibiotics. Even in the 20th century, folk remedies are still used as treatments. For example, tea tree oil has been used for nearly 100 years in Australia for its anti-inflammatory properties and more recently has gained popularity in skincare regimens.

Most criticisms of ancient and folk remedies for bacterial infections cite the argument that the quantity of active antibiotic present would be too small to have real efficacy. However, such widespread reference to mold- and plant-based treatments suggests otherwise. Even trace amounts of antimicrobial activity can make a large difference when it comes to bacterial infections.

What comes next? To combat the growing global antimicrobial resistance crisis, we will need novel antibiotics. In looking toward the future, perhaps we need to re-examine the past. A wonderful example of this comes from an interdisciplinary team of UK researchers and a medieval manuscript. The 1,000-year old remedy, termed Bald’s eyesalve, comprised a mixture of onion, garlic, wine, and bile salts – several of these ingredients on their own have been proven to have some level of antimicrobial activity, but when combined, full efficacy was achieved. The empirical knowledge required to detail each component of the remedy implies use of the scientific method, predating Francis Bacon’s writing in the mid-17th century. When the researchers reconstructed Bald’s eyesalve, even methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were killed, proving its modern value.

A section of the written recipe for Bald's eyesalve from Bald's Leechbook. The text reads in English as follows: “Make an eyesalve against a wen: take equal amounts of cropleac [an Allium species] and garlic, pound well together, take equal amounts of cropleac [an Allium species] and garlic, pound well together, take equal amounts of wine and oxgall, mix with the alliums, put this in a brass vessel, let [the mixture] stand for nine nights in the brass vessel, wring through a cloth and clarify well, put in a horn and at night apply to the eye with a feather; the best medicine.” The image and its translation were found here.
A section of the written recipe for Bald’s eyesalve from Bald’s Leechbook. The text reads in English as follows: “Make an eyesalve against a wen: take equal amounts of cropleac [an Allium species] and garlic, pound well together, take equal amounts of cropleac [an Allium species] and garlic, pound well together, take equal amounts of wine and oxgall, mix with the alliums, put this in a brass vessel, let [the mixture] stand for nine nights in the brass vessel, wring through a cloth and clarify well, put in a horn and at night apply to the eye with a feather; the best medicine.” The image and its translation were found here.

Drawing on ancient texts as sources for modern antibiotics could be the inspiration scientists need to combat new infections. We have severely underestimated the scholarship of premodern healers – proper credit is due. Modern day discovery efforts often hijack chemistry evolved in fungi and bacteria without second thought. Why, then, is the notion that recipes and products carefully crafted by humans hundreds to thousands of years ago – often by nonwhite peoples – so difficult to accept?

 Additional sources

To read a larger summary of plant-based treatments, click here.

To read more about the contribution of ancient Egyptians, click here.

To read the CNN news article on Bald’s eyesalve, click here.

Featured image: Glycopeptide Antibiotic Produc [IMAGE] | EurekAlert! Science News Releases