Abstract

A CRITICAL REVIEW ON NATURAL ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS

*D. Venkata Narayana, T.Gopichandramukhi, K. H. Arun Kumar, P. Nikhil, R. Mahesh and J. Ali Akbar

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial drugs either kill microbes or prevent the growth of microbes. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and multicellular parasites. The frequency of life-threatening infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms has increased worldwide and is becoming an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Due to a rapid increase in the rate of infections, antibiotic resistance in microorganisms and due to side effects of synthetic antibiotics, hence an alternative therapy is needed. Medicinal plants are gaining popularity over these drugs. These plants such as Asafoetida, Averrhoa Carambola, Bryophyllum Pinnatum, Bursera Penicillata, Buchanania Angustifolia, Calotropis Gigantea, Calotropis Gigantea, Colebrookea Oppositifolia, Corchorus Aestuans, Crossandra Infundibuliformis, Datura Stramonium, Nees Ficus Arnottiana Miq., Gymnema Sylvestre, Hemidesmus Indicus, Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Medicago Sativa, Merremia Dissecta, Merremia Aegyptia, Nelumbo Nucifera, Olea Europaea, Trichosanthes Cucumerina, Mangifera Indica Linn etc. These are found useful in the cure of a number of microbial diseases due to rich source of antimicrobial agents. Although medicinal plants produce slow recovery, the therapeutic use of medicinal plant is becoming popular because of their lesser side effects and low resistance in microorganisms.

Keywords: Microbes, Bacteria, Mortality, Buchanania Angustifolia, Lesser side effects.