The multi-faceted potential of plant-derived metabolites as antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant
Jonghoon Shin1, Vasantha-Srinivasan Prabhakaran1, Kwang-Sun Kim1
1Department of Chemistry and Chemistry Institute for Functional Materials, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens are currently causing serious problems globally in the medical setting. Improper and extensive usage of antibiotics results in a selective pressure supporting the rise of antibiotic-resistant microbes. Many key cellular bacterial components, including enzymes and small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs), and their involvement in MDR have been well studied, but exploiting such components in eradicating these pathogens requires further study. Delineation of many mechanisms that underpin the known MDR pathways necessitates urgent development of new specific strategies to control the rise of MDR pathogens. Botanical derivatives are comparatively safer than currently used antibiotics and exert multiple therapeutic benefits associated with their high efficacy. Numerous plant-derived compounds display synergistic activity with antibiotics against many MDR pathogens. Such plant derivatives include alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins. A synthetic biological approach, e.g., metabolic engineering of secondary metabolites, can be utilized to exploit the natural metabolic pathways against MDR microbes. In this review, we focused on the major threats of antibiotic resistance, and the utilization of plant-derived compounds as alternative therapeutic agents to limit the rise of MDR pathogens.
Insights
Multidrug-resistant pathogens pose a global threat due to antibiotic overuse. Plant-derived compounds offer a safer, effective alternative to combat these resistant microbes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens present a significant global health challenge.
- Extensive antibiotic use drives the evolution of antibiotic resistance in microbes.
- Understanding MDR mechanisms is crucial for developing new control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the major threats posed by antibiotic resistance.
- To explore the potential of plant-derived compounds as alternative therapeutic agents against MDR pathogens.
- To highlight synergistic activities between botanical derivatives and antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on antibiotic resistance mechanisms and plant-derived compounds.
- Analysis of studies investigating the efficacy of botanical derivatives against MDR pathogens.
- Exploration of synthetic biology approaches, such as metabolic engineering, for natural product exploitation.
Main Results:
- Plant-derived compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins) show promise as antimicrobial agents.
- Many botanical derivatives exhibit synergistic effects when combined with conventional antibiotics.
- Natural metabolic pathways can be engineered to enhance the production of therapeutic compounds.
Conclusions:
- Plant-derived compounds represent a viable alternative to conventional antibiotics for combating MDR pathogens.
- Harnessing botanical derivatives and synthetic biology offers new avenues for antimicrobial drug development.
- Integrated strategies are needed to effectively control the rise of multidrug resistance.
More Related Videos
09:59Application of the Intelligent High-Throughput Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing/Phage Screening System and Lar Index of Antimicrobial Resistance
Published on: July 21, 2023
08:30One-day Workflow Scheme for Bacterial Pathogen Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance Testing from Blood Cultures
Published on: July 9, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
02:01Plant Cells and Tissues
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
02:43Plant Cell Wall
02:57Plant Tissue Culture