Inhibition of the in-vitro growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by a phytosiderophore

Non-compliance by patients and poor clinical management due to the use of i ncorrect regimens are the main reasons for the development of drug resistan ce by mycobacterial strains. New strategies for the control of multi-drug-r esistant mycobacterial strains have become a necessity for proper managemen t of tuberculosis, which, according to the WHO report (1997) [1], is estima ted to remain among the top 10 mortality-causing diseases of the twenty-fir st century. One of the strategies is the use of iron-sequestering agents li ke siderophores as active therapeutic agents in the treatment of tuberculos is. This report describes for the first time the inhibition of the growth o f Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra in vitro by a phytosiderophore isolated from the root washings of Tephrosia purpurea. This finding may help in the establishment of a new drug regimen which will be more effective in the tre atment of tuberculosis.