Antimicrobial Activity of Plant and Cyanobacterial Secondary Metabolites for Therapeutic Advancements in Modern Medicine

In the realm of modern medicine, researchers worldwide are captivated by the exploration of secondary metabolites found in plants and cyanobacteria. Microbes play a significant role in global health by producing valuable secondary metabolites and approximately 80% of the global population utilizes plants and their metabolites for therapeutic purposes, making them a promising avenue for medicinal molecule development. These metabolites exhibit noteworthy pharmacological actions, including neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and antiviral activity, making them intriguing therapeutic options. Their ability to inhibit protein and enzyme activity by binding with them is considered beneficial in combating infections from pathogenic microorganisms. Additionally, secondary metabolites have been reported to disrupt ATP synthesis by creating an electrochemical gradient across the cell wall and interfering with the electron transport system (ETS) by rupturing the mitochondrial membrane to counteract microbial infections. Brentuximab vedotin, one such medication derived from marine peptides, has gained FDA approval for treating Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Numerous publications have effectively categorized metabolites based on their biological actions however; this book chapter endeavors to illuminate the modes of action of various metabolites against disease-causing pathogens, providing insights that may complement alternative strategies for infection control.