Biological properties of medicinal plants: a review of their antimicrobial activity

Abstract

Abstract:Plants have been used for thousands of years to flavor and conserve food, to treat health disorders and to prevent diseases including epidemics. The knowledge of their healing properties has been transmitted over the centuries within and among human communities. Active compounds produced during secondary vegetal metabolism are usually responsible for the biological properties of some plant species used throughout the globe for various purposes, including treatment of infectious diseases. Currently, data on the antimicrobial activity of numerous plants, so far considered empirical, have been scientifically confirmed, concomitantly with the increasing number of reports on pathogenic microorganisms resistant to antimicrobials. Products derived from plants may potentially control microbial growth in diverse situations and in the specific case of disease treatment, numerous studies have aimed to describe the chemical composition of these plant antimicrobials and the mechanisms involved in microbial growth inhibition, either separately or associated with conventional antimicrobials. Thus, in the present work, medicinal plants with emphasis on their antimicrobial properties are reviewed.

Activity of phenolic compounds from plant origin against Candida species

“…Nevertheless, in some situations, their toxicity is benefic; for example, Sertel et al (2011) reported that vinblastine, vincristine (from Catharanthus roseus, formerly: Vinca rosea) and semisynthetic vindesine and vinorelbine, presented high cytotoxicity against cancer cells, highlighting the potential of these dimeric indole alkaloids for cancer, leukemia and lymphomas treatments. The efficacy of alkaloids against bacteria, parasites, dermatophytes and fungi, including Candida species, has also been described (Ali-Shtayeh and Ghdeib, 1999;Arif et al, 2011Arif et al, , 2009Carocho and Ferreira, 2013b;Dzoyem et al, 2014;Rose, 1999;Sher, 2009;Silva and Fernandes Júnior, 2010;Wyk et al, 2009;Xie et al, 2012). The intercalation into cell wall and/or DNA is considered one of the main described mechanisms of bioactive action of alkaloids (Silva and Fernandes Júnior, 2010).…”

“…The efficacy of alkaloids against bacteria, parasites, dermatophytes and fungi, including Candida species, has also been described (Ali-Shtayeh and Ghdeib, 1999;Arif et al, 2011Arif et al, , 2009Carocho and Ferreira, 2013b;Dzoyem et al, 2014;Rose, 1999;Sher, 2009;Silva and Fernandes Júnior, 2010;Wyk et al, 2009;Xie et al, 2012). The intercalation into cell wall and/or DNA is considered one of the main described mechanisms of bioactive action of alkaloids (Silva and Fernandes Júnior, 2010).…”

Estudo do potencial antimicrobiano e citotóxico da espécie Pouteria venosa (Sapotaceae)

“…Este fator torna os microrganismos Gram negativos mais resistentes (Silva & Fernandes Junior, 2010;Ruela et al, 2011).…”

Evaluation of bioactive properties and phenolic compounds in different extracts prepared from Salvia officinalis L.

“…However, in recent years, it has been observed an increasing interest of scientific researchers for the study of plants biological properties and active principles responsible for their therapeutic effects (Silva & Fernandes Júnior, 2010;Junio et al, 2011). Salvia officinalis L. commonly known as sage, is considered the queen of herbs and belongs to the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family.…”