The potion was found in Bald's Leechbook, one of the earliest known medical textbooks, written in Old English
The eyesalve the researchers tested appeared to cause only low levels of damage to human cells, while also being effective against a range of pathogens both by themselves and as part of a biofilm.
Diabetic foot ulcers are very difficult to treat, and sometimes lead to amputations as doctors seek to avoid the risk of the bacteria fatally spreading into the patient's blood system.According to the researchers, the Bald's eyesalve mixture's use of garlic, which contains allicin, could explain how it is able to tackle single bacteria - however garlic alone isn't able to treat biofilm infections.
"Because the mixture did not cause much damage to human cells in the lab, or to mice, we could potentially develop a safe and effective antibacterial treatment from the remedy. "In this first instance, we think this combination could suggest new treatments for infected wounds, such as diabetic foot and leg ulcers."Her colleague and co-author, Dr Jessica Furner-Pardoe, said:"Our work demonstrates just how important it is to use realistic models in the lab when looking for new antibiotics from plants.
Dr Lee had examined the Bald's Leechbook, an Old English leather-bound text, the only manuscript of which is kept in the British Library, to see if it really worked as an antibacterial remedy.
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