Abstract

Shah Mohd Rahil Salauddin, Dr. Rita Mourya

ABSTRACT

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance presents an urgent challenge to modern healthcare, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches. This comprehensive review examines the potential of medicinal plants in combating multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, synthesizing current evidence on their efficacy, mechanisms of action, and economic implications. Analysis of recent studies reveals that approximately 62% of tested plant extracts demonstrate significant activity against MDR bacterial strains, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 100 ?g/mL. The complex phytochemical profiles of medicinal plants, particularly those containing compounds such as thymol, carvacrol, and glycyrrhizin, exhibit multiple mechanisms of action including membrane disruption, biofilm inhibition, and quorum sensing interference. These multi-target approaches have shown promising results in reducing the likelihood of resistance development, with longitudinal studies indicating up to 40% lower resistance rates compared to conventional single-molecule antibiotics. Clinical implementations of standardized plant-based treatments have demonstrated success rates ranging from 45% to 85% against various MDR pathogens, with notably lower recurrence rates (15-25%) compared to conventional therapies (30-45%). Economic analyses indicate that the development of plant-based antimicrobials typically requires 40-50% lower investment compared to synthetic antibiotics, while potentially reducing healthcare costs associated with MDR infections by 30-40%. However, significant challenges remain in standardization, quality control, and sustainable sourcing of medicinal plants. Advanced analytical techniques, including artificial intelligence-aided compound identification and high-throughput screening methods, have shown 85% accuracy in predicting novel antimicrobial compounds, potentially accelerating the development pipeline. The integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods has emerged as a crucial strategy, supported by the development of international standardization protocols and regulatory frameworks. Conservation efforts are particularly vital, as approximately 15,000 medicinal plant species are currently threatened with extinction globally. This review highlights the necessity for a coordinated approach combining sustainable cultivation practices, standardized quality control measures, and equitable frameworks for traditional knowledge protection to realize the full potential of medicinal plants in addressing the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance.