Exploring Phytochemicals for Combating Antibiotic Resistance in Microbial Pathogens

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance or microbial drug resistance is emerging as a serious threat to human healthcare globally, and the multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains are imposing major hurdles to the progression of drug discovery programs. Newer antibiotic-resistance mechanisms in microbes contribute to the inefficacy of the existing drugs along with the prolonged illness and escalating expenditures. The injudicious usage of the conventional and commonly available antibiotics in human health, hygiene, veterinary and agricultural practices is proving to be a major driver for evolution, persistence and spread of antibiotic-resistance at a frightening rate. The drying pipeline of new and potent antibiotics is adding to the severity. Therefore, novel and effective new drugs and innovative therapies to treat MDR infections are urgently needed. Apart from the different natural and synthetic drugs being tested, plant secondary metabolites or phytochemicals are proving efficient in combating the drug-resistant strains. Various phytochemicals from classes including alkaloids, phenols, coumarins, terpenes have been successfully demonstrated their inhibitory potential against the drug-resistant pathogens. Several phytochemicals have proved effective against the molecular determinants responsible for attaining the drug resistance in pathogens like membrane proteins, biofilms, efflux pumps and bacterial cell communications. However, translational success rate needs to be improved, but the trends are encouraging. This review highlights current knowledge and developments associated challenges and future prospects for the successful application of phytochemicals in combating antibiotic resistance and the resistant microbial pathogens.

Indian Herb-Derived Phytoconstituent-Based Antiviral, Antimicrobial and Antifungal Formulation: An Oral Rinse Candidate for Oral Hygiene and the Potential Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreaks

“…Still the growth of resistant Klebsiella strain was inhibited by the rinse. In addition, there is a large body of literature showing that microbes do not develop resistance to phytoconstituents [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ].…”

Multifunctional Therapeutic Potential of Phytocomplexes and Natural Extracts for Antimicrobial Properties

“…Fabatin, a 47-advancement peptide from fava beans that suppresses P. aeruginosa , E. coli , Enterococcus hirae yet not Saccharomyces or Candida , shows up to be on a very basic level related with thionins from grains that limit P. aeruginosa , E. coli , and Enterococcus hirae at any rate, not Candida or Saccharomyces. Larger lectin molecules, such as mannose-specific lectins from various plants MAP30 from bitter melon GAP31 from Gelonium multiflorum and jacalin inhibit viral development (HIV, CMV) by inhibiting [ 9 ] viral interaction with key host cell components. Most general plant antimicrobial screening approaches, such as bioassay-guided fractionation procedures used by natural-products chemists, will overlook molecules and compounds like these whose mode of action could be to inhibit adhesion [ 16 ].…”

“…Psoralea corylifolia , Catunaregum spinosa , Solanum virginianum , Woodfordia fructicosa , and Syzygium cumin acetone extracts were proficient against the standard fungal culture of Alternaria alternate and Fusarium oxysporum . Inhibitory peptides for microbes were discovered in 1942 [ 9 ]. They have disulfide bonds and are frequently positively charged [ 10 ].…”

“…Due to their presence in oolong green teas, these flavonoids have been intensively studied. Teas have for quite some time been known to have antibacterial properties [ 9 ] and to contain a variety of catechin chemicals. Vibrio cholerae [ 16 ] Streptococcus mutans [ 17 ], Shigella [ 18 ], and other microbes and pathogens [ 19 ] were all suppressed in vitro by these compounds.…”

Combating Drug-Resistant Bacteria Using Photothermally Active Nanomaterials: A Perspective Review

“…Bacterial pathogens, especially MDR or XDR strains, have a highly active self-defense armory that helps them survive against antimicrobial drugs, antibiotics, and pesticides (Khare et al, 2021a). These mechanisms often work in tandem, ensuring bacterial protection against wide-spectrum drugs, and thus driving them into "superbugs."…”