Antibacterial Activity of Medicinal Plants and Their Constituents in the Context of Skin and Wound Infections, Considering European Legislation and Folk Medicine—A Review

Abstract

Bacterial infections of skin and wounds may seriously decrease the quality of life and even cause death in some patients. One of the largest concerns in their treatment is the growing antimicrobial resistance of bacterial infectious agents and the spread of resistant strains not only in the hospitals but also in the community. This trend encourages researchers to seek for new effective and safe therapeutical agents. The pharmaceutical industry, focusing mainly on libraries of synthetic compounds as a drug discovery source, is often failing in the battle with bacteria. In contrast, many of the natural compounds, and/or the whole and complex plants extracts, are effective in this field, inactivating the resistant bacterial strains or decreasing their virulence. Natural products act comprehensively; many of them have not only antibacterial, but also anti-inflammatory effects and may support tissue regeneration and wound healing. The European legislative is in the field of natural products medicinal use formed by European Medicines Agency (EMA), based on the scientific work of its Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). HMPC establishes EU monographs covering the therapeutic uses and safe conditions for herbal substances and preparations, mostly based on folk medicine, but including data from scientific research. In this review, the medicinal plants and their active constituents recommended by EMA for skin disorders are discussed in terms of their antibacterial effect. The source of information about these plant products in the review is represented by research articles listed in scientific databases (Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) published in recent years.

Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol Loaded with Phytotherapeutic Agents for Wound Healing Applications

“…), no possible synergistic interrelations have been mentioned in the literature. The mechanisms of action of the plant extracts are different, acting mainly by permeabilizing the cell membranes and inhibiting the overflow pumps expressed by Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria [53,54], beta-lactamase inhibition [55,56], or penicillin-binding protein 2a [57].…”

Nutritional Values and Therapeutical Effects of Mediterranean Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants

“…20 herbaceous annual or perennial species. Triterpene alcohols (α-amyrin, β-amyrin, and lupeol), triterpene saponins (calendulosides), flavonoids (quercetin and isorhamnetin), coumarins, carotenoids (flavoxanthin, zeaxanthine, and lutein), and polysaccharides are some of the major classes of phytoconstituents of this plant [143]. Some species of this genus have medicinal values.…”

“…Topical application of infusion of flowers is used as antifungal and antiseptic in wounds, marks, freckles, sprain and conjunctivitis. Calendula tea is used as eyewash, gargle, or for treatment of diaper rashes and other inflammatory conditions of the skin and mucous membranes [143,144].…”

Prenylated Flavonoids in Topical Infections and Wound Healing

“…Secondary metabolites may help to overcome pathological wound healing through pharmacological effects directed at multiple targets. Phenolics, alkaloids, essential oils (EOs), diterpenes, triterpenes, carotenoids and saponin steroids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), glucosinolates, and polysaccharides have been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, collagen-synthesis-promoting, and skin-cell-regeneration-supporting properties [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. These phytochemicals affect one or more phases of the healing process, generally have low toxicity and good bioavailability in the skin, and are therefore widely used in wound care [ 28 ].…”