Ancient medicinal clay shows promise against bacterial infections

Published: 27-Jan-2016

The naturally occurring clay from Kisameet Bay, BC, Canada is used by the Heiltsuk First Nation for its healing potential

Naturally occurring clay from Kisameet Bay, British Columbia in Canada, which is used by the Heiltsuk First Nation for its healing potential, exhibits potent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.

The researchers recommend that the rare mineral clay is studied as a clinical treatment for serious infections caused by ESKAPE strains of bacteria.

The ESKAPE pathogens: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species cause the majority of US hospital infections and effectively 'escape' the effects of antibacterial drugs.

'Infections caused by ESKAPE bacteria are essentially untreatable and contribute to increasing mortality in hospitals,' says UBC microbiologist Julian Davies, co-author of the paper published in the American Society for Microbiology’s mBio journal.

'After 50 years of over-using and misusing antibiotics, ancient medicinals and other natural mineral-based agents may provide new weapons in the battle against multidrug-resistant pathogens.'

Ancient medicinals and other natural mineral-based agents may provide new weapons in the battle against multidrug-resistant pathogens

The clay deposit is situated on Heiltsuk First Nation’s traditional territory, 400km north of Vancouver, Canada, in a shallow five-acre granite basin. The 400 million kilogram deposit was formed near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 10,000 years ago.

Local First Nations people have used the clay for centuries for its therapeutic properties; anecdotal reports cite its effectiveness for ulcerative colitis, duodenal ulcer, arthritis, neuritis, phlebitis, skin irritation, and burns.

'We’re fortunate to be able to partner with UBC on this significant research programme,' says Lawrence Lund, President of Kisameet Glacial Clay, a business formed to market medicinal and cosmetic products derived from the clay.

'We hope it will lead to the development of a novel and safe antimicrobial that can be added to the diminished arsenal for the fight against the ESKAPE pathogens and other infection-related health issues plaguing the planet.'

In the in vitro testing conducted by Davies and UBC researcher Shekooh Behroozian, clay suspended in water killed 16 strains of ESKAPE bacteria samples from sources including Vancouver General Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, and the University of British Columbia’s wastewater treatment pilot plant.

No toxic side effects have been reported in the human use of the clay, and the next stage in clinical evaluation would involve detailed clinical studies and toxicity testing.

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