The teachings provided herein generally relate to binding systems that kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, wherein the binding systems are safe for oral administration. More particularly, the systems taught herein include methods of treating a subject having an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection, comprising administering an effective amount of a binding system to a subject having an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. The binding system can be administered orally in a formulation having, for example, a tannin having a gallic acid ester and hydrogen peroxide in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
