From skincare staple to potential antibiotic: madecassic acid fights drug-resistant bacteria

University of Kent researchers (with UCL) found madecassic acid, a Centella asiatica–derived compound used in skincare, can halt growth of antibiotic‑resistant E. coli by targeting the bacterial cytochrome bd complex; modified versions showed stronger effects, hinting at a new antimicrobial path and potential skincare microbiome implications.