Captain_Coconut
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2018
- Messages
- 988
Taken from: Natural Anti-Biofilm Agents
Bismuth is an element in the earth’s crust (atomic number 83) that we demonstrated had anti-biofilm activity. It’s the only non-toxic heavy metal on the Periodic Chart. That’s why you see it in such remedies as Pepto-Bismol, because it’s generally regarded as safe. Bismuth seems to work by competitively inhibiting redox enzymes containing iron.[Domenico et al., 1996], which are involved in EPS production. Pepto-Bismol is actually a combination of two anti-biofilm agents, bismuth and aspirin. Both interfere with energy production, which inhibits slime formation.[Domenico et al, 1991, 1992]. Pepto-Bismol works essentially by dampening biofilm overgrowth in the gut.
Bismuth anti-biofilm activity occurs at very small doses (<1 µg/mL).[Domenico et al., 1991, 1992] However, Pepto-Bismol is taken in rather large doses (~15 mg/Kg). Bismuth potency can be enhanced up to 1000-fold with lipophilic thiols. [Domenico et al., 1997] Some thiols used to potentiate bismuth are naturally-occurring, and some are synthetic. Each shows a unique antibacterial spectrum that adds to the utility of these novel anti-biofilm compounds. Bismuth-thiols (BTs) have potent, broad spectrum activity, even against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Additionally BTs prevent and eradicate microbial biofilms at low micromolar concentrations. [Domenico et al., 1999; Folsom et al., 2011] Topical BT administration to infected open fracture wounds potentiated the effect of systemically administered antibiotics, reduced infection rate and bacteria quantity associated with bone and orthopaedic implants. [Penn-Barwell 2015] Microbion Corporation’s lead compound, BisEDT, has been granted FDA Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) status, and is in Phase 2 clinical studies for treatment of orthopedic wound infections and chronic wounds.
The low toxicity of bismuth makes it quite different than most heavy metals, which weaken immunity and create an environment for unhealthy biofilms.
Bismuth is an element in the earth’s crust (atomic number 83) that we demonstrated had anti-biofilm activity. It’s the only non-toxic heavy metal on the Periodic Chart. That’s why you see it in such remedies as Pepto-Bismol, because it’s generally regarded as safe. Bismuth seems to work by competitively inhibiting redox enzymes containing iron.[Domenico et al., 1996], which are involved in EPS production. Pepto-Bismol is actually a combination of two anti-biofilm agents, bismuth and aspirin. Both interfere with energy production, which inhibits slime formation.[Domenico et al, 1991, 1992]. Pepto-Bismol works essentially by dampening biofilm overgrowth in the gut.
Bismuth anti-biofilm activity occurs at very small doses (<1 µg/mL).[Domenico et al., 1991, 1992] However, Pepto-Bismol is taken in rather large doses (~15 mg/Kg). Bismuth potency can be enhanced up to 1000-fold with lipophilic thiols. [Domenico et al., 1997] Some thiols used to potentiate bismuth are naturally-occurring, and some are synthetic. Each shows a unique antibacterial spectrum that adds to the utility of these novel anti-biofilm compounds. Bismuth-thiols (BTs) have potent, broad spectrum activity, even against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Additionally BTs prevent and eradicate microbial biofilms at low micromolar concentrations. [Domenico et al., 1999; Folsom et al., 2011] Topical BT administration to infected open fracture wounds potentiated the effect of systemically administered antibiotics, reduced infection rate and bacteria quantity associated with bone and orthopaedic implants. [Penn-Barwell 2015] Microbion Corporation’s lead compound, BisEDT, has been granted FDA Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) status, and is in Phase 2 clinical studies for treatment of orthopedic wound infections and chronic wounds.
The low toxicity of bismuth makes it quite different than most heavy metals, which weaken immunity and create an environment for unhealthy biofilms.
