Abstract

EXPLORING PHYTOCHEMICALS AS ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIMICROBIALS-PROSPECTS AND POTENTIALS

Snehali Majumder*, Vikneshwaran G., Alben Sigamani, Taufiq Rahman, Mohammed Rahmatullah

ABSTRACT

The pandemic of antibiotic resistance necessitates the development of new therapeutic measures. In the quest, to find alternatives and/or adjuvant to antibiotics scientists across the globe have explored various methods. Among the study for various alternatives, exploring phytochemicals for their antibacterial properties have had successful outcomes. Humans have been using the plant as a source of medication from the beginning of civilization. Ancient scriptures from Egypt, India, China, and Mediterranean countries extensively describe the use of plant extracts. Being natural in origin phytochemicals are assumed to have greater health benefits. Plants produce a wide variety of structurally diverse and complex phytochemicals compounds that have proven antimicrobial properties. Phytochemicals, continue to be an important source of new drugs, now contributing about 90% of the newly discovered pharmaceuticals. Some phytochemicals, besides having direct antimicrobial activity, have been reported to have antibiotic resistance modifying activities in vitro when used at low MIC levels and the synergistic effect of these compounds with conventional antibiotics could provide effective therapies against resistant bacteria. In this review, we explore the prospects and potentials of phytochemicals as an effective alternative source of effective, cheap and safe antimicrobial agents.

Keywords: Phytochemical, antibacterial, antimicrobial resistance.