Natural Products in Management of MDR

The escalating prevalence of microorganisms that are multidrug-resistant (MDR) causes a substantial risk to public health worldwide, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. A large population of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, have evolved resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents, making conventional therapies ineffectual and increasing the risk of illness, death, and medical expenses. Prominent MDR pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to methicillin, Enterobacteriaceae that are resistant to carbapenem, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and long-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae belongs to MDR group, poses serious threat to human health. Various approaches including multidrug combinations, nanotechnological approaches, and many others have been recently developed to fight against the global threat of MDR. However, natural products, derived from plants, microorganisms, and marine organisms, have garnered considerable attention due to their diverse chemical structures and potent biological activities, have been essential to the advancement of the medical industry. This chapter reveals the potential of various phytochemical in the management of MDR infections, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and potential as alternative therapies.