A new study from the University of Copenhagen has indicated that an active sulphurous compound found in garlic can fight against robust bacteria in patients with chronic infections, News Medical Life Sciences reported on Tuesday.

The researchers discovered that the garlic compound was able to destroy important components in the bacteria's communication systems, involving the regulatory RNA molecules.

The study marks the latest addition in research focusing on garlic's effect on bacteria, which has been led by Professor Michael Givskov since 2005. In this time, the researchers have demonstrated that the sulphurous compound ajoene, which is found in garlic, is able to inhibit bacteria.

By showing that the garlic compound can destroy the bacteria's communications system, the researchers believe this method will lead to treatment of patients with otherwise poor prospects, such as those with chronic infections like cystic fibrosis.

In 2012, the researchers took out a patent to use ajoene to fight bacterial infections. The licence to use the patent was bought by Neem Biotech last year, and its cystic fibrosis treatment, NX-AS-401, has now obtained orphan drug designation. This will enable the company to start clinical trials involving patients. If these are successful, it will be marketed as the first of a series of antimicrobial connections with new modes of action that were developed by the University of Copenhagen's team.