Effective killing of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro with novel herbal compounds

Abstract

Introduction:The tick-borne disease Lyme Borreliosis is caused by Borrelia bacteria. The disease can persist even after treatment with antibiotics, which is why other methods of treatment are needed. Herbal compounds and phytochemicals have been recently examined in relation to eradicating Borrelia bacteria in vitro. Objective:The possible antimicrobial effect of two novel compounds, Biocidin Liquid and LSF Broad-Spectrum Liposomal formulas, was examined in the hopes of discovering an alternative method for eradication of Borrelia bacteria. Methods:The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bacterial deaths (MBDs), as well as, time-kill effect of each compound were utilized in the study. Results:The Liquid formula effectively killed the spirochetes with 1:10 dilution, while the MIC for the Liposomal formula was 1:25. Moreover, the MIC for both compounds with Round Bodies was 1:50 and for biofilms 1:10. Though long-term effect (MBD) was seen only with 1:5 dilutions for both formulas. Additionally, the killing effect of each compound was observed already at 10 min post-treatment. Conclusion:The study conducted here provides new insight into the antimicrobial effect of herbal compounds. Furthermore, studies such as these are required in order to discover possible alternatives to antibiotics in the battle against Borrelia infections.

Efficacy of Double-Dose Dapsone Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease/Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) and Associated Co-infections: A Report of Three Cases and Retrospective Chart Review

“…Potential candidates with efficacy against Bb persisters in culture included daptomycin, cefoperazone and doxycycline [ 102 ], sulfa drugs [ 36 ] including dapsone [ 40 ] and disulfiram [ 37 , 38 ], bee venom/mellitin [ 103 ], essential oils (oregano oil, cinnamon bark, clove) [ 33 ], and Stevia extract [ 34 ]. For in vitro biofilm forms of Bb [ 27 ], effective killing of Bb has been noted with novel herbal compounds such as Biocidin [ 104 ], Stevia [ 34 ], baicalein and monolaurin [ 105 , 106 ], and oregano oil [ 33 ]. However, only results for dapsone and disulfiram have been published in retrospective clinical trials to date [ 14 , 39 , 40 ].…”

Efficacy of Double Dose Dapsone Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease/Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) and Associated Co-infections: A Report of Three Cases

“…bee venom/mellitin [103], essential oils (oregano oil, cinnamon bark, clove) [33], as well as Stevia extract [34]. For in vitro biofilm forms of Bb [27], effective killing of Bb has been noted with novel herbal compounds such as Biocidin [104], Stevia [34], baicalein and monolaurin [105] QD in our previous studies. The higher dose of dapsone was effective in keeping our patients in symptomatic remission for the first time in decades, with only 7-8 weeks of DDD CT leading to remission times between 25-30 months.…”

“…Would addressing Babesia and/or Bartonella with newer medication regimens including tafenoquine for babesia[134] and/or novel combination therapies for Bartonella (i.e., macrodantin, rifampin, methylene blue, gentamycin with essential oils)[133] prior to DDD CT improve clinical outcomes in co-infected patients? Similarly, the three biofilm agents (Stevia, oregano oil, Biocidin) we used in our study were all published to have efficacy against biofilms and morphological forms of Borrelia[34] [33][104], but would other biofilm agents or combinations against Borrelia and/or associated co-infections be more efficacious[33] [135]? Randomized, controlled trials would be necessary to answer these important questions.…”

Evaluation of Natural and Botanical Medicines for Activity Against Growing and Non-growing Forms of B. burgdorferi

“…Previous in vitro testing has documented that Juglans nigra exhibited bacteriostatic activity against log phase spirochetes of B. burgdorferi and B. garinii and bactericidal activity against Borrelia round bodies (63). Two different commercially available botanical formulations which contain Juglans nigra were also recently shown to have activity against log phase spirochetes of B. burgdorferi strain GCB726, round bodies and biofilm formation in in vitro testing (64). Juglans nigra has also been shown to have multiple constituents (65) with antimicrobial properties including juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4naphthalenedione), phenolic acids, flavonoids, and catechins (including epigallocatechin gallate) (66,67).…”