Potential of plant extracts against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: an integrative review

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is the main cause of tuberculosis. For decades, new forms of treatment and new ways of dealing with the growing resistance acquired by this bacterium to first-line drugs have been studied. Medicinal plants are a source of new bioactive compounds with antimicrobial potential. Objective: to investigate which plant species have already been tested and which main secondary metabolites are active against MTB. Methodology: an integrative review that included in vitro experimental studies, carried out around the world, that used medicinal plant extracts to evaluate the antimycobacterial activity by microdilution, with identification of major compounds, against MTB, between 2011 and 2021, the Web of Science and PubMed were used and the descriptors “medicinal plants AND against AND MTB”. Results: 20 species of plants with antimycobacterial activities were found. Four stood out with MIC<10 µg/mL. The variety of secondary metabolites was determinant for antimycobacterial activity, highlighting alkaloids, terpenes and phenolic compounds. Conclusion: the number of secondary metabolites obtained in the extraction is decisive in the antimycobacterial activity.