Antimicrobial potential of Moringa oleifera: Phytochemicals, mechanisms and nanotechnology applications

Antibiotic resistance is increasing rapidly and is a major health problem worldwide. As a result, researchers are actively investigating safe and superior alternative therapeutic agents. Medicinal plants contain a wide array of bioactive compounds have found certain viability for such a purpose. Moringa oleifera is among such medicinal plants that exhibit several pharmacological features and are receiving attention for their antibiotic potential, represented by broad-spectrum antimicrobial action. The present review article emphasizes the antimicrobial potential of M. oleifera, highlighting the phytochemical profile, antibacterial mechanisms and its usage in the green synthesis of nanomaterials. The mentioned plant has a varied range of bioactive compounds e.g., flavonoids, glucosinolates, phenolic acids, alkaloids, sterols and terpenes that provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity by interfering with cell wall physiology, inhibiting protein synthesis and interfering with DNA replication. It has strong anti-quorum sensing and antibiofilm properties in addition to its direct antibacterial effects. The green synthesis of nanoparticles using M. oleifera has also been explored as a non-toxic and sustainable method of producing new antimicrobial materials. Overall, M. oleifera is a natural antibacterial agent that shows great promise and has a variety of therapeutic uses. Besides, antivirulence and nanotechnology approaches provide creative answers to address the rising issues of antibiotic resistance in current medicine.