Researchers at IIT Roorkee have identified thymol—a natural plant-based compound—as a promising weapon against persistent bacterial infections, especially those caused by drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. This breakthrough could help enhance the efficacy of antibiotics like meropenem, which are often considered last-resort treatments in hospitals.

Key Highlights Thymol’s potential in AMR

• The study found thymol weakens bacterial persister cells that typically survive antibiotic treatment by altering energy metabolism and membrane structures.

• When combined with meropenem, thymol boosts the antibiotic's performance against A. baumannii.

How thymol works

• Thymol disrupts bacterial energy production, damages the outer membrane, generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibits efflux pumps.

• These multi-target actions significantly increase bacterial vulnerability.

Research team and recognition

• The research team includes Prof. Ranjana Pathania, Arsalan Hussain, Timsy Bhando, Ananth Casius, and Rinki Gupta.

• Their work has been published in the Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

Need for further validation
While early results are promising, the team emphasized the importance of additional clinical trials to validate thymol's effectiveness in real-world therapeutic applications.Statements from Leaders or Officials

• Prof. Ranjana Pathania, lead researcher at IIT Roorkee, said, “By targeting persister cells, we may be able to improve treatment outcomes for chronic and recurrent infections.”

• Prof. K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, added, “This study reflects our institute’s commitment to addressing pressing healthcare challenges through innovative, nature-inspired approaches.”

The research opens a new chapter in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. If clinical trials support the lab findings, thymol could become a key adjunct in the treatment of chronic and hospital-acquired infections. IIT Roorkee’s work also reinforces the role of Indian research institutions in leading global health innovations.