Scientists recently revealed that a popular herbal extract sold in health food stores—often used for allergies and weight loss—may hold promise as a new treatment for bladder infections. This discovery has sparked interest among researchers and medical professionals alike.
Bladder infections, or urinary tract infections (UTIs), are a common health issue, with approximately 90% caused by *E. coli*. Women are particularly vulnerable, being four times more likely to develop UTIs and experience recurring infections. The bladder's unique structure, made up of small pouches that expand when filled, can actually provide a hiding place for bacteria, allowing them to evade antibiotics during treatment.
On April 8th, scientists from Duke University published their findings in *Nature Medicine*, explaining how certain bacteria can reside in these pouches, making it difficult for traditional treatments to fully eliminate the infection. Soman N. Abraham, the lead researcher and microbiologist, highlighted that forskolin—a compound derived from plants in the mint family—showed potential in animal studies to force bacteria out of these pouches, making them vulnerable to antibiotics.
In experiments conducted on mice, forskolin was either injected into the body or directly into the bladder. While this extract is widely available in health stores, experts caution against self-treatment, emphasizing the need for further research before it can be recommended as a standard therapy.
UTIs should always be addressed promptly, as they can quickly spread to the kidneys and lead to more severe complications. Abraham’s team plans to conduct larger animal trials to determine whether forskolin can completely eradicate bladder infections. Historically, Indian botanical extracts have been used for centuries in Asia to treat various ailments, including UTIs.
Walter Hopkins, a urologist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, sees potential in forskolin as a way to prevent reinfection and offer a faster, more effective treatment option. He said, “If these results are confirmed in humans, forskolin could become a groundbreaking treatment.†Dr. Gregor Reid of Lawson Health Research Center in London also praised the study, calling it an intriguing development in the field of infectious diseases.
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