Natural Product Antimicrobial Therapeutics and Resistance Modulation
Summary
Natural products have long served as a rich reservoir for antimicrobial discovery, encompassing compounds derived from plants, marine organisms and microbial fermentation. Their structural diversity spans alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols and peptides, each interacting with microbial targets in unique ways. Beyond direct inhibition of cell wall synthesis, protein translation or nucleic acid replication, many natural compounds interfere with resistance mechanisms such as efflux pump activity, biofilm formation and enzymatic inactivation of drugs. Such resistance-modulating properties may restore the efficacy of conventional antibiotics when used in combination, reducing required dosages and minimising selective pressure for resistant strains. Advances in analytical chemistry and high-throughput screening are enhancing early-stage evaluation of complex extracts, while mechanistic studies using microscopy and molecular assays are illuminating modes of action at the cellular and subcellular levels. Implementation of standardised susceptibility testing and bioavailability assessments remains critical to translate promising leads into clinical candidates. Collectively, this field integrates ethnobotanical knowledge, modern pharmacology and microbial genomics, aiming to deliver sustainable antimicrobial solutions that address the global challenge of drug-resistant infections.
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Natural Product Antimicrobial Therapeutics and Resistance Modulation publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in natural product antimicrobial therapeutics and resistance modulation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that prevents visible growth of a microorganism in vitro.
Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI): a quantitative measure of the interaction between two antimicrobial agents, with values below 0.5 indicating synergy.
Phytochemical: a bioactive secondary metabolite produced by plants, often with potential therapeutic properties.
Antimicrobial resistance: the ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of drugs that once could control or kill them.
Synergy: the enhanced combined effect of two agents that exceeds the sum of their individual effects.
References
- Towards sustainable antimicrobials from plants: Some ways to abridge current methodological approaches. Sustainable Materials and Technologies (2024).
- Interactions of naturally occurring compounds with antimicrobials. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis (2023).
- Phytotherapeutic potential against MRSA: mechanisms, synergy, and therapeutic prospects. Chinese Medicine (2024).
- Review on plant antimicrobials: a mechanistic viewpoint. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control (2019).
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