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Related Experiment Videos

Plant products as antimicrobial agents.

M M Cowan1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, USA. cowanmm@muohio.edu

Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|October 9, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Plant-derived compounds show antimicrobial potential, but require rigorous study for safe use in Western medicine. Research is ongoing to develop these natural products for treating infectious diseases.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Ethnobotany
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Plant-derived compounds are increasingly sought for drug discovery, particularly for infectious diseases.
  • While many pharmaceuticals originate from plants, none are currently used as antimicrobials.
  • Traditional medicine has long utilized plants for treating infections, prompting scientific investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current botanical screening efforts for antimicrobial leads.
  • To summarize in vivo studies on the effectiveness and toxicity of plant-derived antimicrobials.
  • To discuss the structure and properties of antimicrobial phytochemicals.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of ethnopharmacological and scientific studies.
  • Analysis of secondary metabolites in plants, including tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids.
  • Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo data on antimicrobial activity and safety.

Main Results:

  • Plants contain diverse secondary metabolites with demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial properties.
  • Research is exploring the potential of these phytochemicals as novel antimicrobial agents.
  • Limited in vivo data exists on the efficacy and toxicity of many botanical preparations.

Conclusions:

  • Phytochemicals offer a promising avenue for developing new antimicrobial treatments.
  • Rigorous scientific validation is crucial before widespread clinical adoption.
  • Clinicians must be aware of the increasing use of unregulated botanical preparations by patients.

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