Here is yet another example of the benefits that accrue from conserving biodiversity. Scientists have developed drugs from pitcher plant Nepenthes khasiana that work as effective anti-fungal agent.
Fungal infections are widespread in hospitals around the world. Secondary fungal infections acquired during stay as patients in hospitals are a constant source of worry for the doctors. Skin fungal infections lack effective treatments.
Scientist say to avoid sharing precious food resources with other micro-organisms such as fungi, the carnivorous plant has developed a host of agents that act as natural anti-fungal agents. Scientists have zoomed in to this characteristic of the pitcher plants.
The credit for the discovery goes to Prof. Aviah Zilberstein, Prof. Esther Segal and Dr. Haviva Eilenberg from Tel Aviv University.
Details appear in the latest issue of Journal of Experimental Biology
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