NIT Rourkela develops revolutionary herbal nanoparticle antibiotic to defeat superbugs

In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, researchers from the Department of Life Sciences at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed a revolutionary herbal-based antibiotic capable of destroying antibiotic-resistant bacteria, commonly known as superbugs.

This innovative medicine has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the field of antibiotic research. The student-led research team has successfully created zinc oxide nanoparticles in their laboratory -a compound that has proven to be twice as effective as traditional antibiotics in killing harmful bacteria within the human body.

What makes this discovery even more remarkable is its natural origin. After studying extracts from 12 different plants, the researchers found that a combination derived from the leaves and flowers of mango, eucalyptus, and marigold , all commonly found in home gardens , was the most potent. Using this herbal extract, the team synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles that can completely destroy superbugs and other harmful bacteria cells.

The NIT Rourkela team claims that this eco-friendly 'green antibiotic' could mark a new era in the fight against antibiotic resistance, offering a sustainable and powerful alternative to conventional drugs. 

"We have found that our biologically synthesised nanoparticles are more effective that traditional antibiotics and chemically synthesised nanoparticles. Apart from being effective, it is not at all harmful for the environment," said Sonali Jena, a student of NIT Rourkela.

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"We have found its effectiveness against microbes on how to survive against anti-microbe resistance. We have also tested its effectiveness against cancer. We have found that it's destroying cancer, but not destroying the nearby cells. Now, we are checking its efficacy against tuberculosis," said Kumari Subham, another student of NIT Rourkela.

Simply put, superbugs are highly dangerous bacteria or fungi that develop in the human body due to the uncontrolled use of antibiotics. These microbes continuously strengthen their resistance to antibiotics, making the usual medicines ineffective and allowing infections to worsen. This has become one of the greatest global health challenges of our time.

According to The Lancet journal’s estimates, by 2050, superbugs could claim the lives of as many as 39 million people worldwide. While scientists across the globe are racing to find ways to combat these deadly pathogens, researchers at NIT Rourkela have developed a promising and eco-friendly solution.

Unlike conventional antibiotics that often contain harmful chemicals, this new formulation is completely herbal and environmentally safe. The Director of NIT Rourkela stated that following initial success, the Central Government has granted permission for advanced research on this innovation.

"Additional thing is, most of the antibiotics act on one or two processes of the bacteria and microbes whereas in our nano formulation, they are multiple kind of compounds which act at different level of the bacterial processes," said Prof Suman Jha, head of the research team.

"The main thing is that it is environmentally safe. It is a product which should come to the market and be available to everyone," said NIT Rourkela Director K Umamheshwar Rao.

The findings have been published in the reputed Surfaces and Interfaces journal, where the research has received high international praise. After five years of rigorous study, this breakthrough herbal antibiotic has emerged as a potential weapon against superbugs.

Further testing on animals and humans will determine when this innovative medicine will reach the market  - a development the medical world is eagerly watching.