A comprehensive review of plant-based compounds as alternatives and adjuvants to conventional antibiotics
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the biggest threat to global public well-being in the 21st century, causing millions of deaths yearly if we do not do anything to get rid of this problem. The reduced effectiveness of currently used antibiotics, along with a festering drug development pipeline, requires the study of new treatment decisions. Plant-derived phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, phenolic acids, essential oils, and saponins, have appeared as attractive options due to their structural variety and multi-target actions. To combat drug-resistant infections, these chemicals disrupt cell membranes, flow pumps, and quorum sensing while also producing reactive oxygen species. Also, the possibility of synergy with existing antibiotics gives an approach for restoring the effectiveness of older medications. This study critically evaluates the antibacterial efficacy of essential plant compounds against WHO priority-specific resistance infections, investigates the mechanisms behind resistance change, and examines ethnobotanical evidence from traditional medicinal systems. Regulatory hurdles, such as a lack of bioavailability, a lack of standardisation, and translation issues, are also addressed. Future initiatives, such as nanotechnology-based delivery systems and metabolomics powered by artificial intelligence, are identified as feasible paths to speed the integration of plant compounds into standard antimicrobial therapy.