Review on plant antimicrobials: a mechanistic viewpoint

Abstract

Microbial resistance to classical antibiotics and its rapid progression have raised serious concern in the treatment of infectious diseases. Recently, many studies have been directed towards finding promising solutions to overcome these problems. Phytochemicals have exerted potential antibacterial activities against sensitive and resistant pathogens via different mechanisms of action. In this review, we have summarized the main antibiotic resistance mechanisms of bacteria and also discussed how phytochemicals belonging to different chemical classes could reverse the antibiotic resistance. Next to containing direct antimicrobial activities, some of them have exerted in vitro synergistic effects when being combined with conventional antibiotics. Considering these facts, it could be stated that phytochemicals represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds with potent antimicrobial activities.

Transgenesis as a Tool for the Efficient Production of Selected Secondary Metabolites from Plant in Vitro Cultures

“…Of these, the antibacterial properties have drawn significant interest due to the growing problem of bacterial infections around the world [92,93]. These compounds are known to disrupt membrane function and structures, interrupt DNA or RNA synthesis and function, and interfere with intermediary metabolism or intercellular communication via various mechanisms of action [92,94,95]. Importantly, the prevalence of multi antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains in the environment is growing [96,97].…”

Agro-industrial wastes as sources of bioactive compounds for food and fermentation industries

“…They can be used along with older antibiotics to increase their potency to avoid the development of microbial resistance. The plant compounds that are extensively utilized for antimicrobial purposes comprise alkaloids, sulfur-containing compounds, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds (KHAMENEH et al, 2019). Thus far, more than 1,350 plants with antimicrobial activities and more than 30,000 antimicrobial substances extracted from plants have been reported (TAJKARIMI et al, 2010).…”

Antimicrobial Materials with Lime Oil and a Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) Produced via Valorisation of Sugar Cane Molasses

“…Lime oil (Citrus aurantifolia) is composed mainly of limonene [18,20]. The mechanism of action of such organic compounds is linked to their ability to modify the integrity of the bacterial cell wall, increasing its permeability and causing membrane disruption [15,33]. Moreover, a higher effect against Gram-positive bacteria compared to negative ones is usually reported, due to protection of Gram-negative bacteria by the outer membrane composed of lipopolysaccharides [34].…”