What this work is about, in plain words
Extracts of six species of cyanobacteria and microalgae were tested against bacteria isolated from tuberculosis patients and against mycobacteria. The result depended on the species: some extracts suppressed microbial growth, others stimulated it.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a growing problem, especially in patients who are treated for tuberculosis for a long time. Cyanobacteria and microalgae produce substances that can suppress microbes. The authors tested whether six cultures have such activity.
The work included the cyanobacteria Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi, Planktothrix agardhii, Arthrospira platensis and Roholtiella mixta, the diatom Nanofrustulum shiloi and the green alga Tetraselmis viridis. Aqueous and DMSO extracts were prepared from them; fucoxanthin was also obtained separately from the diatom, and alcoholic and oil extracts of it were made. The extracts were tested in vitro against staphylococcus, enterococcus, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and mycobacteria, and on mouse immune cells. The oil extract of fucoxanthin was given by mouth to mice with experimental tuberculosis (5 animals per group).
According to the authors, the extracts suppressed the growth of some bacteria and mycobacteria, but in some cases, on the contrary, enhanced bacterial growth. The extracts had an inhibitory effect on mouse cells. In mice with tuberculosis, fucoxanthin reduced the number of mycobacteria in the internal organs.
Limitations. Most of the experiments were in vitro, and the mouse experiment used small groups. This is not proof of a therapeutic effect in humans. The results were obtained by the authors of the article and do not describe Laboratory 17 materials.