Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Antimicrobial Characterization of Advanced Materials for Bioengineering Applications
08:08

Antimicrobial Characterization of Advanced Materials for Bioengineering Applications

Published on: August 4, 2018

Antimicrobial Resistance and the Alternative Resources with Special Emphasis on Plant-Based Antimicrobials-A Review

Harish Chandra1, Parul Bishnoi2, Archana Yadav3

  • 1High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna (H.N.B.) Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal 246174, Uttarakhand, India. hreesh5@gmail.com.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 11, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat, making bacterial infections hard to treat. Plant-derived compounds show promise as natural antimicrobials to overcome this resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Ethnobotany

Background:

  • The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to indiscriminate antibiotic use poses a significant global health challenge.
  • Bacteria develop resistance through mechanisms like antibiotic inactivation, target modification, and efflux pumps, rendering current treatments ineffective against some strains.
  • Plant-derived secondary metabolites offer a potential alternative for combating resistant microbial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
  • To explore the potential of plant-based antimicrobials as an alternative strategy against resistant microorganisms.
  • To highlight the role of plant-active secondary metabolites in combating microbial diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles on antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
  • Analysis of studies on plant-derived compounds with antimicrobial properties.
  • Synthesis of information on the efficacy of plant metabolites against various pathogens.

Main Results:

  • Identified key bacterial resistance mechanisms including antibiotic inactivation, target modification, and efflux pumps.
  • Cataloged various plant metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids with demonstrated antimicrobial activity.
  • Highlighted the potential of these plant compounds to act against bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.

Conclusions:

  • Plant-derived secondary metabolites represent a promising avenue for developing novel antimicrobial strategies.
  • These natural compounds may offer a way to overcome existing antibiotic resistance in microorganisms.
  • Further research into plant-based antimicrobials could lead to effective treatments with minimal side effects.
Keywords:
antibiotic resistanceantimicrobialmechanism of actionplant metabolite

More Related Videos

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes08:58

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

In Vitro Evaluation of the Potentiating Effects of Plant-Derived Molecules on Conventional Biocides09:21

In Vitro Evaluation of the Potentiating Effects of Plant-Derived Molecules on Conventional Biocides

Published on: May 8, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...