Review on the Antibacterial Mechanism of Plant-Derived Compounds against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria (MDR)

Abstract

Microbial resistance has progressed rapidly and is becoming the leading cause of death globally. The spread of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms has been a significant threat to the successful therapy against microbial infections. Scientists have become more concerned about the possibility of a return to the pre-antibiotic era. Thus, searching for alternatives to fight microorganisms has become a necessity. Some bacteria are naturally resistant to antibiotics, while others acquire resistance mainly by the misuse of antibiotics and the emergence of new resistant variants through mutation. Since ancient times, plants represent the leading source of drugs and alternative medicine for fighting against diseases. Plants are rich sources of valuable secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, quinones, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Many studies focus on plant secondary metabolites as a potential source for antibiotic discovery. They have the required structural properties and can act by different mechanisms. This review analyses the antibiotic resistance strategies produced by multidrug-resistant bacteria and explores the phytochemicals from different classes with documented antimicrobial action against resistant bacteria, either alone or in combination with traditional antibiotics.

1. Introduction

Bacterial infection is considered as one of the significant contributors to human illness in developed and developing countries [1]. Pathogens evolve with time and gain resistance to formerly discovered antibiotics. Among two million people infected each year worldwide with various types of bacteria, 700 thousands of them died because of bacterial resistance [2, 3]. For instance, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus accounts for 50,000 deaths annually in the United States and Europe [4]. Simultaneously, antibiotic-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis infected about 480,000 people in underdeveloped countries during 2013 [4].

According to the CDC's antibiotic-resistance threat report in 2019, over 2.8 million antibiotic-resistance infections were recorded in the United States [5]. Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter seems to be the top, urgent threat, with 700 estimated deaths in the United States in 2017 [5]. This number is estimated to increase to ten million cases by 2050 due to lack of response to medication despite all efforts and costs to overcome this issue, which is estimated to be $100.2 trillion by 2050 [6]. Some bacteria are innately resistant to antibiotics, while others acquired resistance with time. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) [7], acquired bacterial resistance can be categorized into three main classes: extensive-drug resistance (XDR), pan drug resistance (PDR), and multidrug resistance (MDR) [8].

Extensive-drug resistance (XDR) is defined as nonsusceptibility to at least one antibiotic in all but two or fewer antimicrobial classes, which means that bacterial strains remain sensitive to only one or two antibiotic categories [9]. An example of this class is XDR-M. tuberculosis, which resists isoniazid, rifampicin, fluoroquinolones, and at least one agent of the three second-line treatments (amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin) [10]. For pan drug resistance (PDR), the name derives from the Greek word “pan,” which means “all,” referring to bacterial resistance to all commercially available or routinely tested antimicrobial agents [8].

Multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDR) assign bacteria resistant to a minimum of one agent in three or more antimicrobial classes [7]. The most common types of MDR bacteria are methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB), multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae that produces extended-spectrum β-lactamases, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) [11]. These resistant strains are considered a major threat to human health as the outcome associated with MDR bacteria is worse than patients infected with more susceptible organisms, and the rising cost associated with these infections [11].

Consequently, scientists have become more concerned about the efficacy of current antibiotics against various types of infectious diseases. Many studies concentrated on finding new alternative medication as a way to overcome resistant problems. Nature represents a potential source for drug discovery. For decades, plants' phytochemicals attracted scientists as they are numerous in structure, have fewer side effects, and are more acceptable by people [12, 13]. Most of these phytochemicals have antimicrobial activity [12, 14]. Approximately, 25% of the current pharmacopeia is from plant-derived compounds [15].

About 80% of the developing countries depend on plant-derived medicines as their first-line treatment [16]. Moreover, plants remain the core of several medical practices such as Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicinal systems) and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) [17]. For instance, Oxalis corniculata extract has intense antimicrobial activity against E. coli, MDR-Salmonella typhi, K. pneumoniae, and Citrobacter koseri (inhibition zones are 17 mm, 13 mm, 16 mm, 11 mm, and 12 mm, respectively) [18].

Five local plants that have been used by indigenous people in Iraq were tested for their antimicrobial effect toward S. epidermidis and K. pneumoniae [19]. It was shown that the type of solvents and the extract concentration markedly affect their activity, with Punica granatum L. being the most active extract regardless of the solvent type [19]. Ludwigia parviflora Roxb. plant has been used traditionally in India for wound dressing and as a remedy for dysentery [20]. The ethanolic fruit extract of this plant showed significant antibacterial activity toward E. coli, B. subtilis, S. typhi, and S. pyogenes in a study that emphasizes the use of this plant traditionally to treat various diseases [20]. The present review focused on describing the bacterial mechanism of resistance, and providing an updated review of plant phytochemicals' antibacterial mechanism against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

2. Mechanism of Bacterial Resistance

About 20,000 resistant genes have been identified from bacteria, and various mechanisms have been highlighted to explain bacterial resistance to traditional antimicrobial agents [21]. The first case of antibiotic resistance was detected during the 1950s with Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli species [22]. However, it took two decades to recognize this rising problem, as in the 1970s, several cases were reported with resistance to penicillin, tetracyclines, and chloramphenicol [22]. The proposed mechanisms for bacterial resistance were rarely tested on a clinical basis [23]. It is ambiguous whether each microorganism has its mechanism, or there is a similar pathway shared by several bacteria to produce resistance [23].

Some bacteria are naturally resistant to antibiotics, while others acquire resistance mainly through the misuse of antibiotics and the emergence of new resistant strains [24]. The mechanism of antibacterial resistance ranges from accelerating antibiotics efflux through bacterial efflux pumps so as to decrease the time required for medication to diffuse inside bacteria [25], alteration of bacterial porins' structure which decreases bacterial permeability to antibiotic influx [26], destruction of antibacterial agents by hydrolytic enzymes [25], to alteration of binding sites for antibiotics [27]. For bacteria, they may fight antibiotics by one mechanism or by combining more than one to produce their resistance [25]. Understanding resistance mechanism is essential to identify the possible target for effective medication in the future. Each of the mechanisms mentioned above will be discussed in detail as follows.

2.1. Efflux Pump

To produce antibacterial activity, the antibiotic needs to enter the bacterial cell at adequate concentration and stay for a considerable time to perform its action [25]. Many MDR bacteria counter antibiotics by the efflux pump mechanism. Efflux pumps are proteinaceous transporters located in the cytoplasmic membrane that function as regulators of the bacterial internal environment [28]. They aid bacteria in removing toxins as well as antibiotics. For the first time, scientists identified the efflux pump as the cause of E. coli resistance to tetracycline [29]. However, it was recently considered a major cause of resistance [28].

Based on sequence similarities, source of energy, substrate binding, and the number of components, bacterial efflux transporters are classified into five prominent families [28]; Resistance-nodulation division (RND), which is a specific group for Gram-negative bacteria [30], adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette superfamily (ABC) [31], multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) [32], major facilitator superfamily (MFS) [33], and small multidrug resistance family (SMR) [34]. Figure 1 is adopted from Blanco et al., presenting the major efflux transporters in bacteria [28]. ABC, MATE, MFS, and SMR distribute to a large degree in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria [28].

Figure 1.

Schematic representation showing the major types of efflux pump families present in bacteria. Presented are resistance-nodulation family (RND) which is specific for Gram-negative bacteria; small multidrug resistance (SMR) locates in the inner membrane; major facilitator superfamily (MFS), multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE), and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily are located in the inner membrane. All efflux pumps regulate toxins and antibiotics transports in energy-dependent manner.

Through efflux pumps, bacteria extrude antimicrobial agents faster than usual. Thus, the agent's time to reach the target site at a considerable concentration will decrease [25]. Bacterial efflux pumps are encoded by genes located either in mobile genetic elements (MGEs), representing genetic materials like plasmids and transposons found in all organisms, including humans or in chromosomes [35]. Recently, about 20 genes encoded in bacterial efflux have been identified, most of them located in MGEs and modulate bacterial resistance of most Gram-positive bacteria [28]. Various MDR efflux pumps in Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa belong to the RND family, and effectively extrude tetracyclines [36].

Due to RND pumps, resistance also occurs in many antibiotics like chloramphenicol, beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and fusidic acid [28]. S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, Streptococci, and some Gram-positive bacteria resist macrolides by efflux pumps mainly through the ABC family present in the chromosome [37]. This mechanism of resistance was initially recognized in S. epidermidis [37]. Antibiotic resistance through efflux pump mechanism also manifests in A. baumannii by which AdeABC and RND efflux pumps release antibiotics like aminoglycosides, tigecycline, lactams, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and tetracycline from the cell [38], which results in a reduction of drug accumulation at the target site and increases the minimum inhibitory concentration of antibiotics making them ineffective [38].

2.2. Alteration of Membrane Permeability

Gram-negative bacteria are characterized by the presence of an outer membrane (OM), which functions as an additional protection layer against harmful compounds [39]. Porins are proteins present in the bacterial outer membrane that can form water-filled holes controlling the passage of several materials and nutrients through this membrane [25]. They represent one of the possible targets for antibacterial agents [25]. Porins were first identified in E. coli (Figure 2 adopted from Katherine Phan and Thomas Ferenci illustration) [40]. They can be classified based on activity into specific and nonspecific [41]. Specific porins are more selective for certain compounds such as Lam B, and selectively uptake maltose, maltodextrin, and Fep A specific for iron complex [42]. In contrast, nonspecific or general porins are involved in membrane permeability and linked to bacterial resistance to the antimicrobial agents [42].

Figure 2.

Effect of porins in membrane permeability of E. coli.

Based on structure, porins are divided into monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric [39]. Besides, they can be classified according to their role in antibiotic transport and membrane integrity into three groups; specific porins for antibiotic transport (LamB, YddB), porin specific for membrane integrity (OmpA), and nonspecific porins act on both antibiotic transport and membrane safety (OmpC, OmpF) [39]. Alteration of the porin structure is associated with an increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics [25]. For example, OmpF porin is responsible for the transportation of several antibiotics such as β-lactams and fluoroquinolones.

Mutation in this porin renders resistance in E. coli [43], K. pneumoniae [44], and P. aeruginosa [45]. A. baumannii resists carbapenem by reducing porin expressions such as Caro and Omp 22–33. Besides, it changes the outer membrane integrity to acquire colistin resistance [46]. The mechanism by which P. aeruginosa resists various types of antibiotics is classified into intrinsic, acquired, and adaptive [47]. Alteration of the outer-membrane main component, the liposaccharides (LPs), is an example of intrinsic-type resistance by which P. aeruginosa fights antibiotics like β-lactams, quinolones, and aminoglycosides [47].

2.3. Destruction of Antibiotics

Bacterial enzymes (Figure 3, adopted from Egorov et al. [48] with slight modifications) are a group of enzymes associated with the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall, nucleic acids, and metabolites synthesis. Some antimicrobial agents directly target these enzymes as part of their mechanism. Thus, bacteria might resist antibiotics through structural changes or modification of the structural elements affected by antibiotics: for example, modification of ribosomes by methyltransferases [49].

Figure 3.

Bacterial enzymes that are involved in various mechanisms of microbial resistance.

Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria release enzymes to hydrolyze or modify antibiotic molecules, rendering them inactive [25]. Most antibiotics inactivated by this mechanism act through inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis [50]. Three types of enzymes are known to cause antibiotic resistance [51]:

1. β-Lactamase enzymes hydrolyze the lactam ring in penicillin, cephalosporines, and carbapenems [52]. About 300 types of β-lactamases are identified based on structural and functional properties.

2. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase acetylates the hydroxyl group in chloramphenicol, making it unable to bind correctly to the target site. Haemophilus influenza, Gram-negative Bacilli, Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter, and P. aeruginosa, resist chloramphenicol by using this mechanism [53].

3. Aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme, S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, and E. faecalis fight antibiotics by producing enzymes that modify drug molecule and decrease its affinity for binding to 30S subunits [54].

2.4. Alteration of the Binding Site

Bacteria may resist antibiotics by remodeling the bacterial target site in a way that decreases the binding affinity of antimicrobial agents [25]. Erythromycin binding interaction is markedly reduced by methylation of the target site, a peptidyl transferase enzyme [55]. Besides, Staphylococci acquired resistance to methicillin and oxacillin through mutational changes in penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) [56]. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) counter antibiotic action by changing the amide linkage of the targeted enzyme into ester linkage, resulting in 1000 times less antibiotic binding affinity [57].

Helicobacter pylorus is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for gastric infections such as gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric cancer [58]. H. pylori resist the first-line treatment agent “clarithromycin” via different mutations in the domain V of the 23S rRNA gene like A2142G, A2142C, or A2143G. These mutations decrease the affinity of bacteria to the antimicrobial agents [46]. Gram-positive bacteria alter antibiotic-binding sites making them ineffective, like modifying ribosomal targets to acquire resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides [59].

Figure 4, adapted from Giannamaria Annunziato, represents a schematic illustration of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Table 1 shows the mechanism of resistance and the type of antibiotics affected by common multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Figure 4.

Schematic representation of antibiotic resistance.

Table 1.

Mechanism of action and antibiotics affected by common MDR bacteria.

MDR type	WHO priority category	Mechanism of resistance	ABs class	Reference
Pseudomonas aeruginosa	Critical	Efflux pump (MexAB-OprM)	β-Lactams and penem groups of ABs	[60]
		Enzyme inactivation (β-lactamase)
		Alteration of membrane permeability
Acinetobacter baumannii	Critical	Enzyme inactivation (aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme)	β-LactamsAminoglycosides	[61]
		Efflux pump
		Change membrane permeability
Klebsiella pneumoniae	Medium	Alteration of target site	3rd generation cephalosporins β-Lactams Carbapenem	[62]
		Enzyme inactivation (β-lactamase)
		Efflux pump
		Alteration of membrane permeability
MRSA, VRSA, VISA	High	Binding site alteration Mutation in genes involved in cell wall synthesisEfflux pump (NorA)	Methicillin	[7]
			Oxacillin
			Vancomycin
			Penicillin
			Cephalosporins
			Carbapenem
VRE	High	Alteration of target site	Most ABs	[63]
			Vancomycin
			Daptomycin
			Linezolid
CRE	Critical	Enzyme inactivation(β-lactamase and carbapenemase)	β-Lactams	[64]
			Most ABs
			Carbapenem
Escherichia coli	Critical	Efflux pump (AcrAB-TolC)	Trimethoprim, amoxicillin, gentamycin, tetracycline	[65]
Helicobacter pylori	High	Mutation in the domain V of 23S rRNA gene of the bacteria	Clarithromycin	[46]

MRSA: methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, VRSA: vancomycin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, VISA: vancomycin intermediate staphylococcus aureus, VRE: vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and CRE: carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

3. Plant-Derived Compounds

Since ancient times, herbal medicine was considered a cornerstone for treating various medical conditions such as cold, diarrhea, dental disease, and labor pain [66]. They represent patients' first treatment choice as they are associated with fewer side effects, and are cheap and affordable, especially in underdeveloped countries [67]. Even though approximately 17,000 plant species have been identified, only 3,000 species are in medical use [68]. However, according to the World Health Organization, 80% of people rely on folk medicine for their healthcare demands [66]. As a result, the search for medicinal plants with promising activity gains additional value. Plants are extensively investigated as a leading source for the synthesis of new therapeutic agents, and the possibility of using crude extracts in the treatment of different diseases [69].

Plants produce two types of metabolites: primary, which is essential for plant survival, and secondary, which resulted in response to plant interaction with the environment [70]. Primary metabolites are products of glycolysis, shikimate pathway, and tricarboxylic acid cycle, which aid in nutrition and reproduction [71]. In addition, they act as a precursor for thousands of secondary metabolites that are produced at different steps in primary metabolic pathways [72], which provokes the role of enzymatic activities against primary metabolites in the production of new compounds that support plant adaptation against biotic (e.g., bacteria, fungi, insect, and disease) and abiotic (e.g., injury, temperature, and moisture) stress [70].

Plant-derived compounds are secondary products of plant metabolism present in different parts of the plant, such as root, leaves, bark, flowers, seeds, and characterized by wide structural diversity [73, 74]. For decades, plant-derived compounds acquired extra attention in the drug industry to enhance existing antibiotics' biological activity or as a potential source for new antimicrobial agents active against several pathogens, including MDR bacteria (13, 25, 71). Based on their biosynthetic origin, plant phytochemicals can be divided into terpenoids, polyketides, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids [71]. This review demonstrates the update in plant phytochemicals' antimicrobial activity along with their antibacterial mechanism of action against various MDR bacteria. In this review, plant-derived compounds were sectioned into alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenoids, sulfur-containing compounds, and coumarins according to their chemical structures. Table 2 lists plants that reported antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria from 2015 to 2021.

Table 2.

Plants reported with antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria from 2015to 2021.

Plant	Part	Active compound	Mechanism of action	Active against∗	Findings	Reference
Alkanna tinctoria	Leaves	Alkaloids		MRSA, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii	MIC well diffusion methodMBC model	[73]
		Flavonoids
		Carbohydrates
Rhazya stricta Decne.	Leaves	Alkaloids	Cell membrane disruption	MRSA, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, VRE	TEM analysis	[74]
Holarrhena antidysenterica		Conessine alkaloid	Efflux pump inhibition	P. aeruginosa	MIC model	[75]
					NPN uptake assay
					Active against RND family
Allium sativum L. (garlic)	Fruit	Allicin (sulfur-containing compound)		P. aeroginosa	MIC and MBC models	[76]
					In vivo
Oxalis corniculata	Leaves			MDR Salmonella typhi	MIC and MBC well diffusion methods	[18]
				K. pneumoniae
Coula edulis Baill.	Fruit	Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponin	Efflux pump inhibition	E. coli	MIC and MBC models	[77]
		Cardiac glycosides		K. pneumoniae
Mangifera indica L.	Bark	Carotenoid	Efflux pump inhibition	P. aeruginosa	MIC and MBC models	[77]
		Tannin
		Catechin
		Polyphenol
Citrus sinensis	Peel	Polyphenol	Efflux pump inhibition	E. coli	MIC and MBC models	[77]
		Catechin
		Carbohydrates
Moringa oleifera Lam.	Leaves	Alkaloids,		P. aeruginosaKlebsiella spp.E. coli	MIC and MBC models	[78]
		Polyphenols
		Flavonoids
		Anthraquinones
		Coumarin
		Tannin, saponin
		Terpenes, sterols
Matricaria recutita L.	Flowers			P. aeruginosa	MIC and MBC model	[78]
				Klebsiella spp.
				E. coli
Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.) Urb.	Bulb extract			S. aureusShigella boydii	MIC and MBC model	[79]
					Time kill study
					TLC-bioautography
Zanthoxylum alatum	Leaves, stem	Fenchol, linalool		E. coliK. pneumoniae	In vitro model	[80]
					MIC
Cinnamomum tamala	Leaves	Cinnamaldehyde		MDR-H. pylori	In vitro model	[80]
Ocimum sanctum L.	Leaves			S. aureus-resistant strains	In vitro model	[80]
					MIC
Zanthoxylum armatum DC.	Fruit			E. faecium	MIC	[81]
				S. aureus	Biofilm and quorum sensitivity assay
				K. pneumoniae	δ-Toxin inhibition
				A. baumannii	Mammalian cytotoxicity study
				P. aeruginosa
Adiantum capillus-veneris L.	Whole plant			E. faecium	MIC	[82]
				S. aureus	Biofilm and quorum sensitivity assay
				K. pneumoniae	δ-Toxin inhibition
				A. baumannii	Mammalian cytotoxicity study
				P. aeruginosa
Artemisia absinthium L.	Aerial parts			E. faecium	MIC	[82]
				S. aureus	Biofilm and quorum sensitivity assay
				K. pneumoniae	δ-Toxin inhibition
				A. baumannii	Mammalian cytotoxicity study
				P. aeruginosa
Martynia annua L.	Fruit			E. faecium	MIC	[82]
				S. aureus	Biofilm and quorum sensitivity assay
				K. pneumoniae	δ-Toxin inhibition
				A. baumannii	Mammalian cytotoxicity study
				P. aeruginosa
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.	Whole plant			MRSA	MIC and MBC models	[82]
				Imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa
				MDR- salmonella typhi
Ocimum basilicum L.		Phytol, cadinene		A. baumannii	MIC using broth microdilution technique	[83]
				E. coli
Plectranthus barbatus Andrews.		Phytol, camphor, verbenone		A. baumannii	MIC using broth microdilution technique	[83]
				K. pneumoniae
				E. coli
				P. aeruginosa
Rosmarinus officinalis L.		Phytol, camphor, verbenone		A. baumannii	MIC using broth microdilution technique	[83]
				K. pneumoniae
Myrtus communis L.	Seeds	Gallic acid		S. aureus	MIC model	[60]
		Ellagic acid		P. aeruginosa
		Flavonoids		E. coli
		Fatty acid, tannin		S. enteric
Cinnamomum zeylanicum	Leaves	Polyphenol		S. aureus	MIC model	[60]
				P. aeruginosa
				E. coli
				S. enteric
Syzygium legatii Burtt Davy & Greenway.	Leaves			E. coli	MICIn vitro toxicity study using Caco-2 cells	[84]
Eugenia zeyheri (Harv.) Harv.
Peganum harmala L.	Seeds	Alkaloids		MRSA	MICMTT assay using HEK-293 cells	[85]
		Harman, harmine
		Harmaline, harmalol
Glycyrrhiza glabra L.	Fruit & leaves	Alkaloids, saponin		P. aeruginosa	MIC model	[86]
		Tannin, flavonoids
		Phenols, coumarin, terpenes
Ficus sycomorus L.	Leaves	Flavonoids		A. baumannii	MIC and MBC models	[87]
		Phenols		Resistant S. aureus
Syzigium cumini	Leaves	Alkaloids		MRSAE. coli	MIC and MBC models	[88]
		Flavonoids
		Terpenoids
Punica granatum L.	Peel	Ellagic tannin		P. aeruginosa	MIC and MBC models	[89]
		Ellagic acid
		Gallic acid
Camellia sinensis (green tea)	Leaves			MRSA	MIC model	[90]
Mentha longifolia (L.) L.	Arial part			VRE	MIC model	[90]
Croton macrostachyus hochst. ex Delile.	Leaves	Triterpenes		MRSA	MIC and MBCBroth microdilution method	[91]
		Sterols, polyphenols
		Saponins
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don.	Leaves	Alkaloids, triterpenes		MRSA	MIC and MBCBroth microdilution method	[91]
		Sterols, flavonoids
		Polyphenols
Paullinia pinnata L.	Leaves	Triterpenes		MRSA	MIC and MBCBroth microdilution method	[91]
		Sterols, polyphenols
		Saponins
Anacardium occidentale L.	Leaves	Alkaloids, saponin		E. coliK. pneumoniae	MIC agar well diffusion method	[92]
		Flavonoids, tannin
		Phenol anthocyanin
Thymbra spicata L.	Arial parts	Carvacrol, thymol		E. coli	MIC and MBC microdilution method	[93]
		Camphor
Lawsonia inermis (henna)	Leaves	Alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroids, anthraquinones		MRSA ATCC43300	MIC and MBC (agar well diffusion and colorimetric microdilution methods)	[94]
				K. pneumoniae
				ATCC700603
				P. aeruginosa ATCC37853
Azadirachta indica (neem)	Leaves	Alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroids, saponins, flavonoids		MRSA ATCC43300	MIC and MBC (agar well diffusion and colorimetric microdilution methods)	[94]
				K. pneumoniae
				ATCC700603
				P. aeruginosa ATCC37853
Piper betle Linn.	Leaves			P. aeruginosa TISTR1287	Agar-disc diffusion method	[95]
					Broth dilution assay (MIC and MBC)
Cistus salviifolius		Hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids (myricetin and quercetin)		MRSA	Disc-dilution method, microdilution method	[96]
Punica granatum		Hydrolysable tannins (punicalin and punicalagin)		MRSA	Disc-dilution method, microdilution method	[96]
Platanus hybrida	Fruits	Phenolic compounds		E. faecium, E. faecalisP. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae	Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method	[97]
Syzygium aromaticum	Flower buds			K. pneumoniaeS. aureus	Disc-diffusion method (MIC and MBC), scanning electron microscopy, DNA apoptosis	[98]
Acacia nilotica	Seeds			S. aureus	Disc-diffusion method (MIC and MBC), scanning electron microscopy, DNA apoptosis	[98]

^∗All bacteria strains are multidrug resistant.

3.1. Alkaloids

Alkaloids are organic nitrogenous compounds with substantial structural diversity [25]. The name “alkaloids” was introduced in 1819 by German chemist Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Meissner to refer to natural products of plant origin that showed basic properties similar to alkalis, but Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner is best known for his discovery of morphine in 1804; Sertürner isolated the first alkaloids [99]. These molecules' biosynthetic origin involves various organisms like bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals [100].

According to their biological sources, alkaloids may be classified into natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic alkaloids, or based on their chemical structure into typical alkaloids with heterocyclic ring, and atypical alkaloid nonheterocyclic. This classification is further split into several classes: tropanes, indole, purines, imidazole, pyrrolidine, pyrrolizidine, isoquinoline, piperidine, and quinolizidine [100]. More than 18,000 types of alkaloids were identified from different sources [101].

The antimicrobial activity of alkaloids has been documented since the 1940s [102]. It has believed that the nitrogen atom is responsible for the bioactivity of this class [103]. Moreover, the antibacterial mechanism of alkaloidal phytochemicals against various infectious diseases is through efflux pump inhibition [25]. Table 3 shows the chemical structures of selected alkaloidal compounds with antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria. For instance, sanguinarine (1) is an isoquinoline alkaloid present in various plants like Sanguinaria canadensis L., Fumaria officinalis L., Bocconia frutescens L., Chelidonium majus L., and Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. [115]. This compound exhibits broad pharmacological activity.

Table 3.

Chemical structures of alkaloidal compounds with antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria.

Chemical structure	Active against	Ref.
	MRSA, E. coli, S. aureus	[104–106]
	E. coli, MRSA, synergistic action against Staphylococcus spp.	[25, 107, 108]
	MRSA	[109]
	S. aureus, E. faeclis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli	[110]
	P. aeruginosaA. baumannii	[111, 112]
	M. tuberculosis	[113]
	E. coli	[114]

Concerning antimicrobial activity, sanguinarine isolated from root and aerial parts of Chelidonium majus L. exhibited a significant effect toward S. aureus strains with MIC 1.9 mg/L. It is suggested that iminium bond, methoxy substitution, and the charge on quaternary nitrogen atom are responsible for this antibacterial action [104]. In a study, sanguinarine prevents bacterial cell division in E. coli by inhibiting cytokinetic Z ring formation [105]. This alkaloid effectively suppresses MRSA growth by weakening the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, according to another study. When MRSA is exposed to sanguinarine, it will produce autolytic enzymes to induce cell lysis [106]. In a recent study, sanguinarine exhibited potent inhibitory effects (MIC 7.8 μg/mL) on Providenica rettgeri–resistant isolates [116]. According to confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and crystal violet staining results, sanguinarine affected bacterial biofilm formation and resulted in a decrease in the intracellular ATP concentration [116].

The synergistic activity of sanguinarine was also documented. A study on the effect of sanguinarine, EDTA, and vancomycin on 34 strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was conducted. In the previous study, sanguinarine alone showed good activity against all strains with MIC 0.6–128 μg/mL. Time kill study revealed that this alkaloid's bactericidal effect appeared after 4–6 h. EDTA had a bacteriostatic effect, and the majority of Gram-negative bacteria resist vancomycin. However, this combination increases the sensitivity of resistant bacteria to vancomycin [117].

Similarly, a combination with streptomycin was studied. MIC and time-kill assay showed that sanguinarine, EDTA, and streptomycin had significant activity against K. pneumoniae and E. coli but were inactive against MSRA and S. aureus [118]. These combinations proposed a possible strategy to overcome resistance. Another isoquinoline alkaloid is berberine [2], which is present in roots, stem-bark, and rhizome of various herbs such as Hydrastis canadensis L., Berberis aristata DC., Coptis chinensis Franch., Coptis japonica (Thunb.) Makino., and Phellodendron amurense Rupr. [119]. It has been known for a thousand years in China for its antimicrobial activity [119]. Interaction with bacterial DNA, inhibition of bacterial protein FtsZ responsible for cell division, and enzyme targeting are possible mechanisms for this antibacterial action [25].

Besides, berberine has a synergistic effect by enhancing the bacterial inhibition of some antibiotics [107]. In a previous study, a combination of berberine with ten different antibiotics was assessed for its antimicrobial activity against 14 Staphylococcus isolates. MIC values ranged from 16–512 μg/mL. A 5 mm increase in the inhibition zone was observed with seven isolates, and berberine's combination with linezolid, cefoxitin, and erythromycin exhibited profound improvement in the antibacterial activity [107]. However, the mechanism underlying such effect is poorly understood.

However, in a recent study, it was noticed that berberine affects membrane integrity by altering the fatty acids contents in both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and disrupting MRSA cell surface in a dose-dependent manner [120]. K⁺ leakage and periplasmic alkaline phosphatase concentration had been assessed as an indication of membrane permeability changes. Furthermore, morphological alterations were detected in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Berberine-treated cells showed a nonspherical shape, and some of them have a doughnut-shaped structure without a central hole. In a recent report, berberine displayed a bacteriostatic effect against MRSA [108]. Molecular dynamics simulation data indicated that berberine could bind to the phenyl ring of Phe19 in PSMα2 via hydrophobic interaction. In addition, it can inhibit MRSA biofilm formation by influencing PSMs' aggregation into amyloid fibrils, which explains berberine's synergistic effect [108].

Solasodine (3) and Tomatidine (4) are essential glycoalkaloid metabolites isolated from the Solanaceae genus [121]. These molecules are well-known for decades for their biological activity and as starting compounds for synthesizing steroid drugs [122]. According to a recent study, genomic analysis was performed to identify the cause of resistance in MRSA. It was shown that modification of genetic sequences in bacterial ATP synthase confronted resistance to antibiotics [109]. Tomatidine appears to target this enzyme; thus, it could be considered a lead source to develop new antibiotics to combat bacterial resistance [109]. Tomatidine synergy was also evaluated against S. aureus, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli using checkboard method and FIC indices. The results indicated that tomatidine has no antibacterial activity toward previously mentioned strains, but it inhibited S. aureus and P. aeruginosa growth combined with gentamycin or cefepime. A similar effect was recognized when P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis were exposed to tomatidine with ciprofloxacin or ampicillin [110].

Conessine (5) is another steroidal alkaloid isolated from the stem-bark of different species belonging to the Apocynaceae family, such as Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) Wall. ex A.DC. [111]. This plant's extract has been used in Thai folk medicine as antidiarrheal, antibacterial, and astringent. These effects can be attributed to steroidal alkaloid contents, mainly conessine [123]. Available studies indicated overexpression of efflux pumps, especially Mex-oprM confer P. aeruginosa resistance to Antibiotics [124, 125]. Thus, using EPI and existing antibiotics represent one of the strategies to restore antibiotic activity [126]. Coadministration of conessine with levofloxacin was tested against P. aeruginosa clinical isolates with a mutation in MexAB-OprM, MexcD-OprJ, and MeXEF-OprN efflux pumps [111]. MIC and time-kill study evaluated the efficacy of using levofloxacin alone and with alkaloid combination. The result showed that conessine successfully retrieved levofloxacin efficacy against P. aeruginosa strain with efflux pumps mediated resistance [111]. In an analogous manner, conessine has a synergistic effect when combined with novobiocin or rifampicin in treating extensively drug-resistant A. baumannii infection [112].

Anti-malarial compounds such as quinoline alkaloid evocarpine (6) and quinolines like dictamnine and masculine are known to have noticeable antimicrobial activity [113, 127]. Evocarpine exhibited higher antibacterial activity than isoniazid in the treatment of M. tuberculosis infection. This effect relates to the inhibition of enzymes required for bacterial cell wall synthesis [113]. Coadministration of ergot alkaloid chanoclavine (7) with tetracycline markedly suppresses resistant E. coli growth [114]. Although chanoclavine has no antibacterial activity alone, with tetracycline it shows considerable synergy. The mechanism underlying this action is due to chanoclavine-mediated inhibition of bacterial efflux pump, which is ATPase dependent. In silico docking showed the ability of chanoclavine to bind with various proteins involved in drug resistance [114]. Alkaloidal antibacterial activity of two plant leaves extracts (Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels. and Vernonia adoensis) were tested against MDR S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels. showed potent antibacterial activity with MIC = 0.0025 mg/mL, and efflux pump inhibition caused by rhodamine 6G accumulation of 121% compared to control [128].

Tetrahydrosecamine (piperidine alkaloid) and Strictanol (indole alkaloid) isolated from the leaves of Rhazya stricta Decne. exhibited significant antimicrobial activity toward MRSA, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa through disruption of the bacterial cell membrane [74]. Similarly, two isoquinoline alkaloids isolated for the first time from Zanthoxulum tingoassuiba root bark, dihydrocheleryhtrine, and N-methylcanadine showed good antibacterial activity (MIC 60 μg/mL) against MRSA [129]. Four papaver species from the Papaveraceae family grown naturally in Iran were tested for the antimicrobial activity for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids were identified from Papaver macrostomum Boiss. & A.Huet., Roemeria refracta DC., Papaver somniferum L., and Glaucium grandiflorum tissues. The alkaloidal extracts of these plants were tested against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and K. pneumoniae. All extracts displayed considerable inhibitory effects for Gram-positive pathogens more than Gram-negative bacteria. Roemeria refracta DC. alkaloid has a stronger inhibitory effect toward S. aureus than other species (MIC 0.065 μg/mL) [130].

In the Middle East, Salvadora persica is traditionally used as a chewable stick to ensure oral hygiene. Methanolic and aqueous extract of this plant were studied for their antimicrobial activity against MDR S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids, terpenoids, and volatile oils were isolated from S. persica extract [131]. The aqueous extract showed better inhibition with MIC equal to 2.49 mg/mL for S. aureus and 7.34 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa. However, the specific compound responsible for this activity was not identified yet [60].

Black zira essential oils exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity toward several pathogens, including P. aeruginosa and E. coli, with MIC ranging from 1 mg/mL to 8 mg/mL and MBC values ranging between 1 and 16 mg/mL. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids, tannin, and phenols [131]. The antimicrobial activity of leaves' extracts of Carica papaya L., Datura stramonium L., and fruit extract of Piper nigrum L. was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including MDR S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, and E. coli. All extracts showed better activity against Gram-positive bacteria. However, Piper nigrum extract had no activity toward MDR. Ethanolic extracts of Carica papaya L. and Datura stramonium L. displayed larger zone of inhibition than methanol extracts. The phytochemical screening for both plants indicated the presence of alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, phenols, saponin, and carotenoids with tannin present only in Datura extract [132]. Several alkaloids were identified in a southeast Asian plant, Piper sarmentosum Roxb.; some are present in roots and stems like langkamide, piplartine, and trimethoxycinnamic acid, while amide alkaloid compounds were isolated from plant leaves. Methanolic extracts of the leaves exhibited good antibacterial activity, including MDR pathogens such as MRSA and E. coli with MIC 100 mg/mL [133].

3.2. Polyphenols

Polyphenols are a large group of secondary plant metabolites with phenolic pharmacophore [134]. More than 8000 polyphenols were identified with biological activity mainly as antioxidants that protect plant and human cells from free radical damage [135]. They are classified into four categories according to the number of phenolic groups and the structural elements as follows: (1) flavonoid, which further split into flavones, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanones, chalcones, and catechins; (2) stilbenes with resveratrol as the main compound; (3) lignans and finally (4) phenolic acids like hydroxybenzoic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid [136].

Besides polyphenols' central role as an antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, anticancer, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial activities were also documented [137]. Figure 5 illustrates the chemical structures of some polyphenols with documented antimicrobial activity against MDR. Although the exact mechanism for polyphenols' antimicrobial action is not fully understood, several studies suggested that at the cellular level, polyphenols bind to bacterial enzymes via a hydrogen bond, inducing several modifications in cell membrane permeability and cell wall integrity [138].

Figure 5.

Chemical structures of selected alkaloids with antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria.

One of the most abundant flavonoids present in food are flavanols, which have potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including resistant strains [139]. Examples of this group include quercetin (8) and kaempferol (9). In one study, a combination of quercetin with amoxicillin exhibited synergistic activity against S. epidermidis isolates that are resistant to amoxicillin alone; however, the activity was markedly reserved when quercetin was added [140]. According to the study, quercetin inhibited beta-lactamase and bacterial peptidoglycan synthesis, as well as increased cell membrane permeability and decreased fatty acids in bacterial cells [140]. Similarly, quercetin's synergy with levofloxacin, ceftriaxone, gentamycin, tobramycin, and amikacin has been tested against P. aeruginosa. The biofilm formation and biofilm cell viability had been markedly affected by this combination with ≥80% inhibition. Bactericidal effect was significant as well with (68 to 85%) cell killing [141]. In another study, a combination of low-dose quercetin and tetracycline exhibited bactericidal action against antibiotic-resistant E. coli in a mouse-infected model. As a mechanism, quercetin disrupted the bacterial cell envelope, resulting in increased cell permeability and lysis [142]. These results encourage more focus on combining antibiotics with phytochemicals as a new approach to combat bacterial resistance.

Kaempferol and its derivatives isolated from Bryophyllum pinnatum displayed significant antibacterial activity against several pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant S. aureus and P. aeruginosa [143]. For the last decade, kaempferol acquired extra attention after its activity against MRSA had been proven [144]. This action's mechanism is thought to be through kaempferol-mediated inhibition of NorA efflux pump [145]. Om Prakash et al. studied the effect of quercetin and kaempferol combination with regular antibiotics in the antibacterial activity of these antibiotics against MRSA [146]. According to the study, antibiotics like cefixime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, cephradine, methicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin, when mixed with quercetin, kaempferol, or quercetin + kaempferol, revealed remarkable MIC values against MRSA, which is usually resistant to these antibiotics when administered alone. However, a combination of classical antibiotics with these flavonoids restores their antibacterial activity [146].

Camellia sinensis (green tea) is a plant well-known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties against various pathogens, including resistant S. aureus and P. aeruginosa [147]. In a previous study, green tea extract was reported to be active against 11 isolates of resistant E. coli in patients who suffered from UTI infections in Nepal (MIC 600 μg/mL) [148]. Catechin (10) is a polyphenol abundant in green tea and accountable for the plant's activity. Four forms of catechin are present in green tea; epicatechin (EC) (11), epigallocatechin (EGC) (12), EC-3-gallate (ECG) (13), and EGC-3-gallate (EGCG) (14) [147]. Several studies indicated the pharmacological importance of catechin phytochemical [147, 149, 150]. In a study, catechin showed metal-chelating properties making it more effective as an antioxidant than vitamin C [149]. Moreover, green tea extract was shown to be active against P. aeruginosa in several studies [147]. Catechin gallates effectively reverse MRSA resistance through NorA efflux pump inhibition. It has two different binding sites in the NorA substrate and causes EPI at high concentrations [151].

Chalcones are considered important secondary metabolites and precursors of flavonoids and isoflavonoids in plants [152] that produce their antimicrobial activities through NorA efflux pump inhibition [153]. Chalcone (15) and dihydrochalcone (16) isolated from the ethanolic root extract of Uvaria chamae P. Beauv. were assessed for the first time by Koudokpon et al. for their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive MDR pathogens [154]. Ten chalcones were identified by ion mobility MS analysis with significant inhibition of VRE, MRSA, and S. aureus growth [154]. Some research documented a considerable increase in antibacterial activity of chalcones in combination with antibiotics. An example is a chalcone isolated from traditional African and American herb roots, Sophora flavescens Aiton. [155]. Following the previously mentioned study, 7,9,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-8-isopentenyl-5-methoxychalcone was found to be active against MRSA and VRE alone or in combination with ampicillin or gentamycin [155]. 4′,6′-Dihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethyl-2′-methoxychalcone from Dalea versicolor Zucc. was found to enhance erythromycin activity by reducing MIC from 0.4–0.1 μg/mL in another study [153].

Several studies reported that synthesized flavonoids' derivatives could be more effective as antibacterial agents than natural flavonoids [156–158]. Seventeen chalcone derivatives were synthesized and tested for their antimicrobial activity against eleven bacteria strains, including S. aureus and E. faecalis [158]. All compounds significantly inhibited bacterial growth, with one compound (dibromo derivative) (17) showing similar activity comparable to the nalidixic acid reference drug (MIC 25 μg/mL). Quantitative structural activity relationship and docking study of these compounds indicated that binding to the active site of bacterial penicillin-binding protein PBP-1b gives antibacterial activity to these synthesized derivatives [158].

Different mechanisms aim to explain the antibacterial action of flavone and isoflavone phytochemicals [139]. Flavone may form a complex with bacterial cell wall components preventing further adhesion. An example of this mechanism is the licoflavone (18) bioactive compound isolated from the flowers of the Retama raetam, which actively inhibits E. coli growth with MIC 7.81 μg/mL [159]. Inhibition of bacterial enzymes is another mechanism as in artocarpin (19) compound extracted from Artocarpus anisophyllus Miq. leaves. This phytochemical exerts an antibacterial effect against MDR E. coli and P. aeruginosa [160]. Several studies in the synergistic effect of flavones with well-known antibiotics had been assessed, including the inhibition of bacterial efflux pumps, and increasing antibiotic susceptibility [139]. Baicalein (20) is a trihydroxyflavone present in the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. and possesses various biological activities such as antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties [161]. Baicalein restores tetracycline and β-lactams activity against MRSA, and E. coli through the EPI mechanism [162]. In another study, the combination of baicalein with oxacillin and vancomycin were evaluated against MRSA and VRE. As a mechanism, this combination has a bactericidal effect via inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Time kill study revealed that the bacterial growth remarkably attenuated after 2–6 h [142].

Resveratrol (21) is a stilbene polyphenol that has recently gained extra attention for its benefits [163]. It has been studied for its antimicrobial potential alone and in combination with classical antibiotics [163]. Resveratrol exhibits moderate antibacterial activity toward Gram-positive S. aureus and E. faecalis (MIC 100–200 μg/mL); however, it is less active against Gram-negative species such as E. coli and K. pneumoniae (MIC > 200 μg/mL) [164]. As a mechanism, resveratrol inhibits biofilm production, and bacterial ATP synthase, thus decreasing the energy consumption required for bacterial growth. It also decreases bacterial toxin production, motility, and intervention with quorum sensing [163]. Eight bacterial strains, including MDR clinical isolates, were chosen to study resveratrol's in vitro antimicrobial activity [165]. According to the study, resveratrol displayed strong antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus (MIC 1.6 μg/mL and 1.7 μg/mL), respectively, compared to the norfloxacin reference drug (MIC 4.8 μg/mL) [165]. In another study, resveratrol extracted from seeds of pinot noir grapes inhibited Campylobacter jejuni isolates' growth. Resveratrol acts as EPI for the CmeABC efflux pump responsible for the extrusion of antibiotics across the bacterial outer membrane [166].

Tannin is a water-soluble polyphenol commonly isolated from woody plants. It has been classified into two types: hydrolysable tannin, which is usually an ester of phenolic acid, and nonhydrolysable (condensed), a more abundant type of tannin usually derived from flavonoid dimers such as procyanidin [167]. Chebulinic acid (22) is hydrolysable tannin isolated from seeds of Euphoria longana, Terminalia chebula fruits, and leaves of Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. Kunal patel et al. studied the binding affinity of 179 compounds to Mycobacterium DNA gyrase enzyme including chebulinic acid [168] which displayed a significant inhibitory effect on quinolone-resistant DNA gyrase. However, this study is based on virtual screening; further in vitro study is required to confirm this activity [168]. In another study, chebulinic acid extracted from Terminalia chebula showed potent antimicrobial action toward MDR A. baumannii [169].

Tannic acid (23), another form of tannins, was proven to have efflux modulating properties against MRSA [170]. In a study, MRSA parent strains showed no efflux pump activity. However, with continuous use of fusidic acid, mutation emerges, and these mutant strains develop efflux pump type of resistance. It was shown that tannic acid administration with fusidic acid prevents mutation by acting as an alternative target for bacteria and promoting cell lysis [170]. Phenolic acids are natural compounds with one carboxylic acid functionality and many hydroxyl groups attached to the aromatic ring [171]. They could be derivatives of benzoic acid like gallic, protocatechuic, and p-hydroxybenzoic acids or cinnamic acids such as ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid [171]. Gallic acid (24) and ferulic acid (25) cause irreversible changes in E. coli and P. aeruginosa membranes through the reduction in negative surface charge and pore formation in cell membrane along with hydrophobicity changes, resulting in bacterial intracellular contents leakage [171].

A large-scale study was conducted to screen the antimicrobial effect of 239 traditional Chinese extracts against multidrug-resistant S. aureus. Some of these extracts reveal promising antibacterial activity (MIC ranging from 0.1 to 12.5 mg/mL and an MBC range of 0.78–25 mg/mL) as well as low cytotoxicity with median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) >100 μg/mL. The most active extracts include Rhus chinensis Mill., Ilex rotunda Thunb., Leontice kiangnanensis P.L.Chiu., Oroxylum indicum Vent., Isatis tinctorial L., Terminalia chebula Retz., Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd., Spatholobus suberectus Dunn., Rabdosia rubescens (Hemsl.) H.Hara., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge., Fraxinus fallax Lingelsh., Coptis chinensis Franch., Agrimonia Pilosa Ledeb., and Phellodendron chinense C.K.Schneid. [172]. Further study is required to determine the active phytochemicals in these extracts and the potential mechanisms for their action.

3.3. Sulfur-Containing Compounds

Volatile compounds with organo-sulfur structure have been proven to have broad antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens [173]. Little is known about their mechanism of action; however, the disulfide bond's presence confers a great role in their effectiveness [173]. Examples of these compounds are allicin, isothiocyanate, cysteines, and ajoene (Figure 6 lists the chemical structure of selected sulfur-containing compounds reported with antimicrobial activity). Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a plant well recognized among other Allium species for its antimicrobial activity towards resistant bacteria [174]. This activity is related to garlic's organo-sulfur constituents, mainly allicin (26), produced in response to garlic tissue damages and gives the crushed garlic its characteristic odor [174].

Figure 6.

The chemical structures of selected sulfur-containing compounds reported with antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria.

Several studies reported that allicin could inhibit MDR bacterial growth such as S. aureus, E. coli, MRSA, and P. aeruginosa; however, this effect is bacteriostatic, which suggested using allicin in combination with other antibiotics [175, 176]. As a mechanism, allicin inhibits bacterial enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase, RNA polymerase, DNA gyrase, as well as inhibition of biofilm formation, DNA, and protein synthesis [175, 177]. Allicin presence in garlic was first reported by Cavallito and Bailey in 1944 [178]. It is a chemically unstable compound that rapidly decomposes to sulfide compounds such as ajoenes, diallyl sulfide (DAS), and diallyl disulfide (DADS) [175]. Thus, five analogues of allicin had been synthesized to overcome the stability problem [179]. The efficacy of these analogues was checked against bacteria and fungi, including E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. According to the study these analogues exhibited similar activity compared to allicin. The most potent antimicrobial activity was found in vapor form, concluding the use of allicin or its analogues in the gas phase as an alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of lung infection with MDR bacteria [179].

Plant family Brassicaceae represents several vegetables such as broccoli, mustard, cauliflowers, and cabbage. This family produces glucosinolates metabolites in response to tissue injury hydrolyzed by myrosinase enzyme into isothiocyanates (ITCs) [180]. Several natural as well as synthetic ITCs have been identified as potential antimicrobials against human pathogens, including resistant bacteria [181]. The antimicrobial activity of allyl isothiocyanate AITC (27) was isolated from a Japanese flower (Wasabia japonica (Miq.) Matsum.), and its synthetic analogue was evaluated against E. coli strain and S. aureus [182]. AITCs and their analogues sufficiently inhibit these bacteria's growth for up to 12 h. [182]. However, according to another study, this phenotype's efficacy is 100-fold less than polymyxin B antibiotic [183]. AITC affects bacterial membrane, similarly increasing cellular substance leakage to polymyxin B [183].

Another study on the AITC mechanism of action indicates that AITC may inhibit bacterial DNA synthesis by interfering with the sulfhydryl group in thioredoxin, promoting inferior enzyme activity, and interfering with the sulfhydryl group of acetate kinase, affecting energy metabolism of bacteria [184]. A previous study tested the effect of allyl isothiocyanate AITC, benzyl isothiocyanate BITC, and phenyl isothiocyanate PITC on P. aeruginosa [185]. These ITCS represent the major components of ITCs isolated from Tropaeolum majus L. and Armoracia ruticana plants. AITC, BITC, and PITC remarkably inhibited mature biofilm formation and showed synergy with meropenem by increasing its efficacy toward P. aeruginosa biofilm [185].

Phenyl isothiocyanate PITC (28) has proven to have moderate activity against S. aureus and E. coli (MIC 1000 μg/mL) [186]. It modulates bacterial membrane changes through the interaction of electrophilic compounds with bacterial cells leading to decreased negative charges at the bacterial surface and increased surface hydrophilicity and electron donation. These changes trigger cellular disruption and loss of membrane integrity resulting in cell death. In addition, the synergism of PITC with ciprofloxacin and erythromycin was tested. The previous study recommended using PITC in combination with one of these two antibiotics as it enhances the antimicrobial activity of these antibiotics toward resistant S. aureus and E. coli [186]. ITCs isolated from Cruciferous species were tested for their antimicrobial effect against 15 MRSA clinical isolates from diabetic foot ulcers [187]. The antibacterial activity of ITCs mainly depends on their structural properties, with benzyl isothiocyanate BITC being the most active (bacteriocidal effect is up to 87%) [187].

As a mechanism, BITC structure has both lipophilic and electrophilic characteristics promoting disruption of bacterium ability to maintain membrane integrity through penetration of bacterial outer membrane [188]. Ajoene (30) is an organosulfur phenotype present in garlic extract and has two forms, E-ajoene and Z-ajoene [189]. This compound has broad pharmacological effects as an anticancer, antioxidant, antithrombosis, antiviral, antiparasitic and antimicrobial agent [190]. Although there is little knowledge about the mechanism of ajoene action, a study on ajoene antibacterial effect in M. tuberculosis suggested ajoene-induced stress response in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which represents part of the defense mechanism of the host against Mycobacterial infection [189].

Ajoene promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Upon JNK activation, ROS production increased, resulting in the activation of ER stress and autophagy [189]. In another study, ajoene exhibited quorum sensor (QS) inhibiting activity, a system used by P. aeruginosa to synchronize for specific genes included in its pathogenicity [191]. A synthetic ajoene was used in both in vitro and in vivo models by the previous study. DNA microarray assay indicated that synthetic ajoene inhibited QS in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it has biofilm killing property, which accounts for ajoene synergy with antibiotics such as tobramycin [191].

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a group of peptides that play a crucial role in the host defense mechanism [192]. AMPs occur in a variety of microorganisms, animals, and plant kingdoms [192]. With the emergence of antibiotic resistance, several strategies are proposed to tackle this problem, like using plant antimicrobial peptides from plants (PAMPs) as an alternative to antibiotics [193]. PAMPs are cysteine-rich cationic compounds (31) classified into six families according to cysteine number, amino acid chain, and disulfide bond contents: thionins, defensins, haveins, lipid transfer proteins, cyclotides, and snakins [194]. These PAMPs represent plant defense barriers against pathogens isolated from roots, flowers, seeds, stems, and leaves of several species [194]. In a recent study, PAMP was isolated from leaves of Trianthema portulacastrum L. and tested for antimicrobial activity toward MDR bacterial strains [193]. PAMP significantly inhibits the growth of S. aureus and B. subtilis, but it showed no activity toward E. coli. Further assessment is needed to identify the mechanism behind this action [193].

3.4. Terpenes

Terpenes are a large group of diverse organic molecules produced by various plants and animals, which are essential for their survival [195, 196]. Also, terpenes possess pharmacological and biological properties beneficial to humans. Chemically, terpenes are hydrocarbons with a 5-carbon isoprene unit as the main building block for their biosynthesis [197]. According to the number of isoprenes, terpenes are classified into monoterpenes (e.g., carvone, geraniol, and D-limonene), which account for 67% of biologically active terpenes [198], diterpenes (e.g., retinol and retinoic acid), triterpenes (e.g., betulinic acid and oleanolic acid), and tetraterpenes (e.g., α-carotene, β-carotene, and lutein) [199] (Figure 7 illustrates the chemical structures of selected terpenes with antimicrobial activity toward MDR bacteria).

Figure 7.

The chemical structures of selected terpenes reported with antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria.

Monoterpenes are volatile compounds representing the main constituents of plant's essential oil and are frequently used in fragrance and aromatherapy [199]. Several studies claimed the broad antimicrobial activity of carvacrol (32), thymol (33), eugenol (34), and menthol (35) through efflux pump inhibition and inhibition of bacterial growth and membrane properties as well, with thymol being the most active toward S. aureus and E. coli [197, 200, 201]. Geraniol (36) exhibits significant activity against resistant Gram-negative pathogens such as Enterobacter species through efflux pump inhibition [202].

In another study, the effect of four monoterpenes on the biomembrane of S. aureus and E. coli were assessed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique [203]. This study tested the interaction between thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and gamma terpenes with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vehicle. The result indicated that thymol has a bactericidal effect on S. aureus. In contrast, carvacrol and p-cymene have an inhibitory action on E. coli. Both produce their effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the study suggested that disturbance of membrane lipid is the possible mechanism of action for these monoterpenes toward MDR pathogens, and the effect is highly dependent on lipid contents of the bacterial membrane [203].

Similarly, Garcia-salinas et al. conducted a study to demonstrate the effect of essential oils (EOs) from plants on the membrane properties of S. aureus and E. coli [204]. Carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, and thymol were used in this study with chlorhexidine (0.004 mg/mL) as reference. SEM, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy results indicated that these compounds effectively inhibit bacterial growth in vitro through disruption of membrane integrity. In addition, carvacrol, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde may affect bacterial biofilm formation in concentration equal or more than 0.5 mg/mL. It was suggested that the hydroxyl group in carvacrol and thymol has a role in this mechanism by inactivating microbial enzymes and interacting with the cell membrane. As a consequence, the leakage of intracellular components would be increased [204].

Retinol (vitamin A) (37) and its active form retinoic acid (38) are another class of terpenes present in carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash, and cantaloupe [205]. Skin is the main target of these compounds, and several studies confirmed their activity in treating skin-related infectious diseases [206, 207]. As a mechanism, vitamin A contributes to gene expression through binding into two types of receptors—retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR)—which are abundant in the skin [208]. A new synthetic class of retinoid CD437 (39) was evaluated for potential bactericidal effect toward E. faecalis [209]. CD437 reported anti-biofilm activity toward this pathogen and profound synergy when combined with gentamycin [209]. In contrast, another study suggested that CD437 bacterial-killing property was linked to disruption of the lipid membrane [210]. In this study, two synthetic retinoids CD437 and CD1530 were tested for bactericidal action in MRSA and S. aureus infections.

Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that these compounds successfully penetrate and establish bacterial lipid bilayers. Moreover, these compounds reveal a significant synergistic effect with gentamycin against MRSA in mouse-model [210]. Triterpenes are a large, diverse group of phytochemicals with more than 20,000 compounds identified and recognized for broad pharmacological properties like anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cardiotonic, sedative, antimicrobial, and anticancer [211, 212].

Oleanolic acid (OA) (40) is triterpene isolated from 2000 plant species, mainly plants belonging to Oleaceae family such as the Olea europaea (olive), and functions as a barrier to protect the plant from water loss and pathogens [213]. Several studies have proven OA's efficacy and its derivatives as antimicrobial agents (MIC ≤ 100 μg/mL) against S. pneumoniae, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, M. tuberculosis, Streptococci, and E. coli [211, 214–216]. Although there is little knowledge about OA action's mechanism, some studies proposed induction of stress response and efflux pump inhibition as primary targets for this class [211].

Ursolic acid (UA) (41), which is another triterpenoid acid, shares most features in common with oleanolic acid (OA) [211]. It is abundant in the peel of berries, especially cranberries. Kurek et al. studied the mechanism of OA and UA action toward Gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes [217]. It was shown that both terpenoid acids reduce listeriolysin O hemolytic activity without influencing its synthesis or function. Besides, these compounds affect the biofilm formation of Listeria monocytogenes; however, the reason for such activity is still unclear and demands further clarification [217]. In another study, 3-O-α-L-arbinopyranoside (URS) (42), an ursolic acid phenotype isolated from leaves of Acanthopanax henryi (Oliv.) Harms., was evaluated for its antimicrobial potential against MRSA alone and in combination with oxacillin [218]. MIC (6.25 μg/mL), time-kill assay, white checkboard dilution test, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results indicated that URS has significant antimicrobial activity toward MRSA through inhibition of bacterial cell wall and induction of cell lysis mechanism. URS showed partial synergy with oxacillin, resulting in the suppression of the time-kill growth curve below the inhibitory level [218].

Carotenoids are natural pigments produced by several organisms such as bacteria, yeast, algae, molds, and plants with valuable physiological and pharmacological properties [219]. They acquired importance as a precursor for vitamin A as well as their potential as antioxidant and anticancer agents [220]. Carotenoids are classified into two groups: hydrocarbon carotenes (e.g., β-carotene, torulene) and oxygenated xanthophylls (e.g., astaxanthin, torularhodin) [220]. Few studies were performed to confirm the antimicrobial activity of carotenoids; among them is a study on fucoxanthin (43) carotenoids produced by algae [221]. According to the study, fucoxanthin showed promising antimicrobial effects toward Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including S. aureus (MIC 62.5 μg/mL) [221]. However, further studies to demonstrate the possible mode of action is required.

Spathulenol, 1,8-cineole, trans-caryophyllene, β-pinene, β-eudesmol, camphor, α-pinene, and caryophyllene oxide are essential oils isolated from the leaves and flowers of Salvia hydrangea DC. ex Benth., an Iranian shrub that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat various bacterial and fungal infections. In the study, the isolated oils exhibited a significant inhibitory and lethal effect toward Gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa (MIC ∼ 16 μg/mL) and K. pneumoniae (MIC ∼ 62 μg/mL) [222]. These results highlighted the potential application of essential oils to develop new therapeutic agents in the future.

3.5. Coumarins

Coumarins are a group of natural products identified as secondary metabolites in plants, fungi, and bacteria with vast biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, vasodilation, anticancer, antihypertensive, antioxidant, and neuroprotective actions [223]. Coumarin is distributed to all parts of the plant, particularly in fruit (e.g., Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa., Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. & Thonn.) Taub.) [224], seeds (e.g., Calophyllum cerasiferum Vesque, Calophyllum inophyllum L.) [225], root (e.g., Ferulago campestris (Besser) Grecescu.) [226], and leaves (e.g., Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack.) [227].

Based on chemical structure, coumarins split into six subgroups: simple coumarins, furanocoumarins, dihydrofurano coumarins, pyrano coumarins (linear and angular types), phenyl coumarins, and bicoumarins [223]. Many studies manifested the antimicrobial activity of both natural and synthetic coumarins toward MDR bacteria. For instance, six coumarins isolated from the aerial part of Rhododendron lepidotum Wall. ex G. Don. exhibited considerable antimicrobial activity toward MRSA ATCC-15187, E. coli ATCC- 8739, P. aeruginosa ATCC-9027, with daphnetin (44) compound being the most active coumarin (MIC 125 μg/mL) compared to ciprofloxacin reference drug [228] (Figure 8 illustrates selected coumarins with antimicrobial activity toward MDR bacteria).

Figure 8.

Selected coumarins with antimicrobial activity toward MDR bacteria.

In another study, disesquiterpene (45) coumarin obtained from the root of Ferula pseudalliacea Rech.f. showed higher antibacterial activity toward Gram-positive pathogens [229]. In this study, disesquiterpene activity was tested against S. aureus ATCC 25,922, VRE, E. coli ATCC25,922, P. aeruginosa PTCC1430, and K. pneumoniae in a concentration equal to 64 μg/mL [229]. Moreover, asphodelin A (46), which is an aryl coumarin from Asphodelus microcarpus, exhibited potent antimicrobial activity (MIC 4–128 μg/mL) toward S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, whereas the glycoside form asphodelin A 4′-O-β-D-glycoside showed moderate activity [230]. Reports in the structural activity relationship (SAR) of coumarins suggested that lipophilic properties and planar structure are important for antibacterial effect as the mechanism of coumarin action involves cellular penetration through passive diffusion [231]. In addition, the SAR of three coumarins derived from Streptomyces species indicated that the sugar moiety of coumarin is essential for biological activity [232]. It is also suggested that inhibition of DNA gyrase enzyme is the mode of action of these coumarins [232].

Another study in the coumarin mechanism of action proposed that coumarin suppresses quorum-sensing activity, decreasing bacterial virulence and biofilm formation [233]. Previous reports indicated that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in antibiotic resistance [234, 235]. Thus, it is better to look for alternative medication with dual antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In accordance, a series of hydroxy-3-aryl coumarins were synthesized and screened for antibacterial and antioxidant activity toward MDR bacteria [236]. Docking studies were performed as well to determine the most active compound in this series. 3- phenyl coumarin with hydroxyl substitution at positions 5 and 7 (47) exhibited higher activity against S. aureus (MIC 11 μg/mL), followed by MRSA (MIC 22 μg/mL). Furthermore, a docking study suggested that tyrosyl-tRNA synthase, topoisomerase II, and DNA gyrase are the most appropriate binding sites in the bacterial target [236].

New series of coumarin triazole derivatives were synthesized and studied for in vitro antibacterial activity as well as binding properties to MurB protein [237]. It was noticed that substitution in position 6 or 7 of coumarin ring with 4-carboxyphenyltriazolyl (48) markedly enhance the antimicrobial activity toward S. aureus (MIC 0.16–6.28 μg/mL) while bromine or aryl substitution in position 3 account for higher selectivity toward E. coli (MIC 0.02–0.15 μg/mL) [237]. Similarly, other coumarin derivatives with indolinedione (49) were synthesized and studied for structural relationship on the antimicrobial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, including E. coli and S. aureus [238].

The SAR study established that the electronic environment of indolinedione positively affected the antimicrobial activity of these compounds, and the activity considerably reduced when the chain length between triazole and indolinedione portion increased. As a mechanism, docking studies suggested that binding to S. aureus dihydrofolate reductase is the mode of action of these hybrid molecules [238]. Some literature indicated that the metal complex formation between transition metals like cobalt, nickel, zinc, copper, and drug molecule significantly improves the drug's biological function [239, 240]. As an explanation, the metal complex serves as a vehicle for drug ligand, and the bond between the metal and ligand cleaves easily inside the body leading to accelerated drug action and increased efficacy [241, 242].

This approach is widely investigated to enhance antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer activities [243]. For instance, chromen-2-one complex of 3-aryl-azo-4-hydroxy coumarin (50) exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity toward E. coli (MTCC 614), K. pneumoniae (MTCC 109), and S. aureus with MIC equal to 31.25 μg/mL [240]. In a recent study, a new coumarin compound 3,3′-(3,4-dichlorobenzylidene)-bis-(4-hydroxycoumarin) was detected as an inhibitor to MRSA biofilm formation. Molecular docking study suggested that the anti-MRSA effect is due to targeting bacterial arginine repressor (ArgR), a property that makes this compound a promising source for the development of new anti-MRSA agents [244, 245].

4. Conclusions and Future Perspectives

Nature represents an abundant source for bioactive compounds that are available, affordable, and easy to isolate with almost no harm to humans. Plant-derived compounds have been used since ancient times to treat various infectious diseases. For instance, honey is used as an ointment since the medieval era to treat wounds and prevent secondary infections. Also, Echinacea extract was used by native Americans for the same purpose. With the rapid progression of bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics, scientists returned to nature, searching for alternatives. Many studies had been done, and the therapeutic potential of plant-derived compounds has been documented. Some of these compounds are active as antibiotics when they are used alone while others may enhance the antibacterial action when coadministered with existing antibiotics. Thus, combination therapy of classical antibiotics with phytochemicals could be a promising solution to overcome resistance. However, designing new medication from the plant is still challenging.

Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain plant-derived compounds' action, including efflux pump inhibition, destruction of the bacterial membrane, inhibition of biofilm formation, DNA, and protein synthesis. Understanding the specific mechanism behind phytochemical action is vital to develop a new antimicrobial agent. Nevertheless, shifting from in vitro study to in vivo study and clinical trial remains a big confrontation since several factors may affect the efficacy of phytochemicals like tissue penetration and bioavailability. As such, a better understanding of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of the natural molecule is necessary.

Abbreviations

MDR:

Multidrug resistance

EP:

Efflux pump

E. coli:

Escherichia coli

MRSA:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

K. pneumoniae:

Klebsiella pneumoniae

P. aeruginosa:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

VRE:

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci

VRSA:

Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

VISA:

Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus

CRE:

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

MIC:

Minimum inhibitory concentration

RND:

Resistance-nodulation family

SMR:

Small multidrug resistance

MFS:

Major facilitator superfamily

MATE:

Multidrug and toxin extrusion

ABC:

Adenosine triphosphate binding cassette.

Data Availability

No data were used to support this study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.