Sang Shen Pu Gong Ying beverages can significantly inhibit multi-drug resistant organisms-multiple dimensions of evidences

Abstract Background The surge in multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) poses a dire threat to global health, necessitating novel antibacterial strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a multi-level approach potentially mitigating resistance development. Methods We evaluated the Sang Shen Pu Gong Ying (SSPGY) beverage’s antibacterial activity through in-vitro tests, real sputum samples, and a clinical case study. The beverage, rooted in TCM, was prepared using a blend of medicinal and food homologous herbs and tested for its effect on MDROs, including minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. Results In-vitro bacteriostatic assays indicate that SSPGY beverage can significantly reduce MDROs, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae with distinct antibacterial effects from conventional antibiotics. However, it showed ineffective inhibitory activity in sputum samples. Amazingly, by a intermittent 165-d intervention of SSPGY beverage to a clinical case of severe Klebsiella pneumoniaeinfection, it manifests the effectiveness against MDROs and play an essential role in combating antibiotic resistance. Conclusion Our findings indicate that SSPGY, with its unique antibacterial profile, could offer a promising alternative or intervention to traditional antibiotics. Further research is warranted to elucidate its mechanisms and optimize its therapeutic potential in the context of MDROs.