Natural compounds and extracts as novel antimicrobial agents

Abstract

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide problem accounting for the reduction or in some cases absence of drugs effectiveness normally used in infections treatment. In the light of the even more spread ability of microbials to develop resistance, there is an urgent necessity to find novel and alternative routes to fight infections. Natural compounds or extracts can be a valid alternative either as monotherapy or as adjuvant in order to improve the effectiveness of the failing drugs. Areas covered: This review provides a comprehensive update (2018-2020) on the development state of innovative antimicrobial agents based on natural compounds and extracts, also describing their compositions, methods of production and use, mechanism of action, along with anti-microbial data when available. Expert opinion: Owing to the pivotal role that natural compounds often cover in the finding of novel drugs, their in-depth analysis could pave the way to the discovery of new antimicrobial agents. Most of the alternative approaches reported in this short review were validated through in vitro and in vivo (animal as well as human) models. The employment of natural derived compounds and extracts, alone or in combination with classical antimicrobial drugs, as antimicrobial agents could represent an important achievement to challenge pathogens resistant mechanisms.

Keywords: Natural compounds; antimicrobial activity; biofilm inhibitors; essential oils; extracts.