Abstract
Medicinal plants (MPs) have been used since antiquity in traditional and popular medicine, and they represent a very important source of bioactive molecules, including antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal molecules. Such compounds are often of plant origin, but in some cases, an origin or a modification from plant microbiota has been shown. Actually, the research continues to report the production of bioactive molecules by plants, but the role of plant–endophytic interaction is emerging. Classic examples are mainly concerned with fungal endophytes; however, it has been recently shown that bacterial endophytes can also play an important role in influencing the plant metabolism related to the synthesis of bioactive compounds. In spite of this, a deep investigation on the power of MP bacterial endophytes is lacking. Here, an overview of the studies on MP bacterial microbiota and its role in the production of plant antimicrobial compounds contributing to prime host defense system and representing a huge resource for biotech and therapeutic applications is provided.
Highlights
Introduction to Medicinal PlantsMedicinal plants (MPs) are used in long-established practices of traditional medicines in many countries
Extracts containing the MP phytocomplex are more often used in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases of mild and medium severity: rheumatic diseases with inflammatory nature (Boswellia serrata, Harpagophytum procumbens), cardiovascular diseases (Crataegus monogyna), metabolic diseases, neuro-psychic disorders (Hypericum perforatum, Rhodiola rosea), urinary genital disorders (Serenoa repens), digestive system disorders, such as irritable colon, and recurrent infections of the ENT and the bronchopulmonary system (Eucalyptus globulus, Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea is a medicinal plant used in therapy and prevention of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract, recently studied for the presence of bacterial endophytes influencing the biosynthesis of alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives [13,14]
Summary
Evidence of MP clinical efficacy having antimicrobial activity is scarce, despite positive preclinical results. The effects of neem root endophytes on the artemisinin production in A. annua plants were evaluated [7,8]. Echinacea is a medicinal plant used in therapy and prevention of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract, recently studied for the presence of bacterial endophytes influencing the biosynthesis of alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives [13,14]. It has been reported that Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka), a New Zealand native medicinal plant that is well-studied for the bioactivity of its bacterial endophytes, produces EOs with antimicrobial properties [17]. Manuka honey has revealed a significant antibiofilm activity in vitro and in vivo against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and, in a recent phase 1 clinical trial, its safety and preliminary efficacy were investigated in recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis, resulting as a safe and effective as antibiotics [18]
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