In a recent study, which was published in the journal Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, researchers found that naturally occurring hydroquinine has the ability to kill several drug-resistant bacteria and other numerous pathogens. Although hydroquinine has historically been proven successful in treating human malaria, little study has been done on its drug-resistant traits.

One of the biggest global dangers to public health is antimicrobial resistance. More than 2.8 million infections are caused by drug-resistant bacteria, causing around 35,000 fatalities yearly. Common "superbugs" resistant to antibiotics are the root cause of pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. According to statistics, P. aeruginosa causes infections in the bloodstream leading to high fatality rates between 30 and 50%.

Experts said that hydroquinine could kill several bacteria, including the widespread multidrug-resistant bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, making it a possible option for further clinical research. Future investigation is required to identify hydroquinines molecular target, which would provide a better knowledge of its mechanism of action against pathogens and how it could be applied in a clinical context. (The Print, 5 September 2022)