Antimicrobial Terpenoids as a Potential Substitute in Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance
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Published on: October 4, 2019
Aditi Sharma1, Avadh Biharee1, Amit Kumar1
1Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab-151001, India.
Abstract:
There was a golden era where everyone thought that microbes can no longer establish threat to humans but the time has come where microbes are proposing strong resistance against the majority of antimicrobials. Over the years, the inappropriate use and easy availability of antimicrobials have made antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to emerge as the world's third leading cause of death. Microorganisms over the time span have acquired resistance through various mechanisms such as efflux pump, transfer through plasmids causing mutation, changing antimicrobial site of action, or modifying the antimicrobial which will lead to become AMR as the main cause of death worldwide by 2030. In order to overcome the emerging resistance against majority of antimicrobials, there is a need to uncover drugs from plants because they have proved to be effective antimicrobials due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as terpenoids. Terpenoids abundant in nature are produced in response to microbial attack have huge potential against various microorganisms through diverse mechanisms such as membrane disruption, anti-quorum sensing, inhibition of protein synthesis and ATP. New approaches like combination therapy of terpenoids and antimicrobials have increased the potency of treatment against various multidrug resistant microorganisms by showing synergism to each other.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat, making plant-derived terpenoids a promising alternative. Combining terpenoids with antimicrobials enhances treatment efficacy against resistant microbes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health crisis, driven by factors like inappropriate antimicrobial use.
- Microorganisms develop resistance through mechanisms including efflux pumps, plasmid transfer, and target modification.
- AMR is projected to become a leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore natural products, specifically plant-derived terpenoids, as potential antimicrobial agents.
- To investigate the mechanisms by which terpenoids exhibit antimicrobial activity.
- To evaluate combination therapy using terpenoids and conventional antimicrobials against resistant microorganisms.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on antimicrobial resistance and plant-derived compounds.
- Analysis of terpenoid structures and their known antimicrobial mechanisms.
- Examination of studies on synergistic effects of terpenoid-antimicrobial combinations.
Main Results:
- Terpenoids possess diverse antimicrobial mechanisms, including membrane disruption and inhibition of protein synthesis.
- Plant-derived terpenoids show significant potential as effective antimicrobial agents.
- Combination therapy with terpenoids and antimicrobials demonstrates enhanced potency against multidrug-resistant microbes.
Conclusions:
- Terpenoids represent a viable strategy to combat the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance.
- Further research into terpenoids and their synergistic applications is crucial for developing new antimicrobial therapies.
- Harnessing natural products like terpenoids offers a sustainable approach to addressing the global AMR challenge.
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