A research team from Melbourne's Hudson Institute of Medical Research found that a century-old antiseptic which is made from coal tar could be used to treat viral infections, including common cold and influenza.  Researchers say it could also fight off superbugs and may help prevent future pandemics.    If its efficacy is proven, this could be a valuable treatment option for antibiotic-resistant superbugs, which have been forecasted to kill 10 million people by 2050.

Antiseptic Was Used To Treat Wounded WW1 Soldiers

Acriflavine was used as an antiseptic in WW1 to treat wounded soldiers and "sleeping sickness".   Dr Michael Gantier, one of the researchers, said: "It was replaced afterwards by penicillin, but we think that with new bacteria [that are] more and more resistant to treatment it may do a comeback.  It's very cheap to make, it's not something you would make if you were a private company trying to make money on drugs."

Acriflavine Produced A Double Effect

To prove the efficacy of Acriflavine, Dr Gantier studied its effects on colds.  What they found was that if cells were treated with Acriflavine two days before the exposure to common cold, the virus was not able to replicate as quickly, while the immune response was faster. 

"So we think that for patients who are at risk, we could potentially provide them with this drug in a form like a puffer - a bit like you use Ventolin.  So when they've got a head start for when the infection kicks in, they are better off because they've already been primed and they will be able to fight better.  We can apply that to people who are resistant to every treatment and that could still have some benefit for them," Dr Gantier said. 

Acriflavine is not being used as of yet, and is still being studied.