Antimicrobial Metabolites of Caucasian Medicinal Plants as Alternatives to Antibiotics

TL;DR

This review explores how antimicrobial compounds from Caucasian medicinal plants could serve as alternatives to antibiotics in the fight against drug-resistant infections.

Contribution

The paper systematically reviews the antimicrobial potential of 24 Caucasian medicinal plant species and their bioactive metabolites.

Findings

Extracts from 24 Caucasian medicinal plant species show efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi.

Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and sulfur-containing compounds from Allium species are highlighted for their antimicrobial activity.

The study outlines mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications of these plant-derived metabolites.

Abstract

This review explores the potential of antimicrobial metabolites derived from Caucasian medicinal plants as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. With the rise of antibiotic resistance posing a global health threat, there is a pressing need to investigate alternative sources of antimicrobial agents. Caucasian medicinal plants have traditionally been used for their therapeutic properties, and recent research has highlighted their potential as sources of antimicrobial compounds. Representatives of 15 families of Caucasian medicinal plant extracts (24 species) have been explored for their efficacy against these pathogens. The effect of these plants on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi is discussed in this paper. By harnessing the bioactive metabolites present in these plants, this study aims to contribute to the development of new antimicrobial treatments that can effectively combat bacterial infections while minimizing the risk of resistance emergence. Herein we discuss the following classes of bioactive compounds exhibiting antimicrobial activity: phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, saponins, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds of Allium species. The review discusses the pharmacological properties of selected Caucasian medicinal plants, the extraction and characterization of these antimicrobial metabolites, the mechanisms of action of antibacterial and antifungal plant compounds, and their potential applications in clinical settings. Additionally, challenges and future directions in the research of antimicrobial metabolites from Caucasian medicinal plants are addressed.

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