Antibiotic (抗生素)

Antibiotics are a class of secondary metabolites produced from microorganisms, animals or plants. Some of them exhibit anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anthelmintic, anti-tumor or immunosuppressive activities with a wealth of structural classes such as β-lactams, macrolide and polyether. As major sources of antibiotics, streptomycetes, penicillium and marine organisms produce a wide variety of commercially important polyketide compounds including the well-known macrolide, polyene and polyether antibiotics with wide range of activities. Antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporin, streptomycin, and tetracycline can be used in the treatment of human and veterinary diseases. However, antibiotic resistance is also a growing threat to global public health.