Historical story on natural medicinal chemistry: Streptomycin / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Streptomycin isolated from microorganism is a major milestone in human history to beat tuberculosis, and guides the research of aminoglycoside antibiotics. As the second antibiotics which could be used in clinic after penicillin, the discovery of streptomycin owed much to the systematic research of Dr. Selman Abraham Waksman on microorganism in moil for more than 20 years and hard work of many scientists from different subjects. The systematic experimental method that found antibiotics was built by Dr. S A Waksman and the discovery of streptomycin greatly promoted the development of antibiotics in 1940s. This paper reviewed the study process of streptomycin development and the outstanding contributions of related scientists. At the same time, hoping to encourage the young scientists to work hard and make great contribution for the benefit of humanity. This is one of the series papers about historical story on natural medicinal chemistry.