Secondary plant metabolites as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobial substances

Microbial resistance to antimicrobial drugs is becoming a serious threat worldwide. The mechanisms of bacterial resistance are spreading globally, making it difficult to treat common infectious diseases. The irrational use of antibiotics contributes to the accelerated development of microbial resistance. An alternative way of preventing and treating infectious diseases is through secondary plant metabolites. The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of infectious diseases in humans and animals has a long history dating back 10,000 years. Knowledge about plant properties has been passed down from generation to generation, forming the basis of traditional medicine in various cultures - from Ancient Egypt and India, to pre-Columbian America and Europe to the present day. Ancient texts such as Ayurveda, the Ebers Papyrus, the Berlin Papyrus, and Avicenna's treatises describe thousands of medicinal plants and their uses in humane and veterinary medicine. Given the problem of antibiotic resistance, scientists are actively researching secondary metabolites of plants as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobials. The use of biologically active substances of plant origin is becoming a promising area in the fight against resistant strains of microorganisms. Unlike synthetic antibiotics, no resistance to these compounds has been reported, and their ability to enhance the effect of antibiotics has been studied. Plants are used to study the mechanisms of horizontal transfer of resistance genes. Natural compounds have been shown to be effective in destroying biofilms of microorganisms, which opens up prospects for the development of new antibiotic strategies. The use of secondary plant metabolites may be the key to overcoming current challenges in the fight against resistant infections. Since the problem of microbial resistance affects humans, animals and the environment, its solution requires an integrated approach and cooperation of specialists from different sectors to overcome microbial resistance.