Phytochemicals for human disease: An update on plant-derived compounds antibacterial activity.
In recent years, many studies have shown that phytochemicals exert their antibacterial activity through different mechanisms of action, such as damage to the bacterial membrane and suppression of virulence factors, including inhibition of the activity of enzymes and toxins, and bacterial biofilm formation. In this review, we summarise data from the available literature regarding the antibacterial effects of the main phytochemicals belonging to different chemical classes, alkaloids, sulfur-containing phytochemicals, terpenoids, and polyphenols. Some phytochemicals, besides having direct antimicrobial activity, showed an in vitro synergistic effect when tested in combination with conventional antibiotics, modifying antibiotic resistance. Review of the literature showed that phytochemicals represent a possible source of effective, cheap and safe antimicrobial agents, though much work must still be carried out, especially in in vivo conditions to ensure the selection of effective antimicrobial substances with low side and adverse effects.
Sezione di Microbiologia DISC University of Genoa, Italy.
Ramona
R
Barbieri
Sezione di Microbiologia DISC University of Genoa, Italy.
Erika
E
Coppo
Sezione di Microbiologia DISC-IRCCS San Martino-IST University of Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: anna.marchese@unige.it.
Anna
A
Marchese
Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology Section, University of Pavia, Italy.
Maria
M
Daglia
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain; Dirección de Investigación, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Eduardo
E
Sobarzo-Sánchez
Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Seyed Fazel
SF
Nabavi
Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: Nabavi208@gmail.com.
Seyed Mohammad
SM
Nabavi
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology
D000470:Alkaloids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D013729:Terpenes; D002338:Carotenoids
Alkaloids; Antimicrobial activity; Polyphenols; Sulfur-containing phytochemicals; Terpenoids