Although most of today’s biotherapeutics come from cell lines, herbs also offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits. Instead of putting cells in a bioreactor and filtering and purifying the product, herb-based bioprocessing is often more about making the right mixture of herbs. For some infections, an herb-based therapy promises to provide similar efficacy without increasing antibiotic resistance to existing antibiotics.
Recently, Yingli Song, PhD, a senior laboratory technician in the School of Basic Medical Sciences at Harbin Medical University in Heilongjiang, China, and her colleagues reported on treating skin infections with an herb-based antibiotic.
The human skin, our body’s largest organ, serves as the first line of defense against environmental stressors, infections, and injuries. It regulates temperature, maintains hydration, and enhances sensory functions. While skin naturally hosts many microorganisms without harm, opportunistic pathogens can exploit weakened immunity. Among these pathogens, Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most concerning bacteria due to its ability to cause a wide range of diseases.
S. pyogenes is responsible for millions of skin and throat infections worldwide every year. It can cause superficial infections like impetigo or cellulitis, as well as severe conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Treating these infections is often complicated by the bacterium’s ability to form biofilms and release toxins that damage host tissues. Although many strains remain sensitive to antibiotics like β-lactams, the growing problem of antibiotic resistance threatens to undermine treatment effectiveness. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics, combined with a slowdown in new drug development, have accelerated the rise of resistant pathogens, raising fears of a post-antibiotic era.
A future promise from the past
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a promising complementary approach to combating resistant pathogens. Unlike conventional antibiotics that typically act on a single bacterial target, TCM formulas contain multiple active compounds that work across different pathways, making resistance less likely to develop. One such formulation is Magnolia officinalis Rheum rhabarbarum Decoction (MORRD), an ancient remedy recorded in the classic medical text Jin Kui Yao Lue.
MORRD combines three key herbs: Magnolia officinalis (MO), Rheum rhabarbarum L. (RR), and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AF). Each herb contributes unique antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. MO contains magnolol and honokiol, which disrupt bacterial cell membranes and inhibit growth. RR’s anthraquinones, such as emodin and rhein, interfere with bacterial DNA, protein, and metabolic functions. AF provides flavonoids like hesperidin that further enhance antibacterial activity. Together, these components create a broad-spectrum defense against bacterial infections.
So, instead of growing, say, Chinese hamster ovary cells to develop a new antibiotic, a bioprocessor can make a mixture of herbs. Moreover, advanced techniques can be used to improve the impact of that mixture, especially MORRD.
Modern tools improve ancient technology
Advances in artificial intelligence, multi-omics technologies, and network pharmacology now allow researchers to explore how MORRD’s compounds interact with biological targets. Studies suggest that MORRD influences key immune pathways, including IL-17 and TNF signaling, which play central roles in controlling inflammation and fighting infections. This dual action—directly inhibiting bacterial growth while modulating the immune response—makes MORRD particularly valuable for managing infections caused by S. pyogenes.
Laboratory experiments performed by Song and her colleagues validated these findings. MORRD demonstrated significant antibacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 20 mg/mL against S. pyogenes. Moreover, in skin cell models, MORRD not only suppressed bacterial growth but also reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, limiting tissue damage and promoting healing. Notably, the combined formulation was more effective than individual herbs, suggesting a synergistic interaction.
The results of these studies highlight MORRD’s potential as a modern therapeutic agent, and one that’s relatively easy to bioprocess. Its ability to simultaneously reduce bacterial load and regulate inflammation could provide an effective, multi-target strategy against drug-resistant S. pyogenes infections. While further clinical studies are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness in patients, MORRD represents a bridge between traditional medicine and modern pharmacology.
