Antimicrobial Activities of Phenolic Compounds Derived from Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance has become a significant global concern. Antibiotic resistance among various pathogenic bacteria has become a major challenge for global public health. There is a significant need to explore and develop novel antimicrobial strategies to treat infections caused by bacteria and fungi. There are many medicinal plants that are yet to be explored to discover novel compounds as therapeutic agents. Plant extracts, which contain valuable bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, are being increasingly used as a novel approach to combat harmful microorganisms. Some polyphenols exhibit synergistic effects when combined with antibiotics and antifungals, showing potential as novel treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections. Hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids are the two main phenolic acids, which additionally have a carboxylic acid group in their basic phenolic structure. p-Hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, and gallic are all common hydroxybenzoic acids. The most common hydroxycinnamic acids include sinapic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and caffeic acids. Phenolic compounds show diverse mechanisms of action and are extensively used against pathogenic bacteria. This chapter provides an overview of the antimicrobial activity of phenolic compounds in medicinal plants and their mechanistic insights.