Phytochemical Profiling and Microbial Targeting of Medicinal Plants in the Development of Alternative Antimicrobial Therapies

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens has necessitated the search for novel antimicrobial agents. Medicinal plants, long used in traditional healing systems, offer a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. This review explores the phytochemical profiling of medicinal plants and their targeted antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogenic microbes. By identifying key secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids, researchers have been able to elucidate their roles in disrupting microbial growth and biofilm formation. The integration of advanced analytical tools like GC-MS, LC-MS, and NMR has enabled detailed chemical characterization of these compounds. Furthermore, this paper discusses the mechanisms by which plant-derived compounds exert antimicrobial effects, including membrane disruption, inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis, and interference with quorum sensing. The synergistic effects observed between plant extracts and conventional antibiotics also highlight the potential of phytochemicals as resistance-modifying agents. Finally, the review addresses current challenges and future perspectives in translating these findings into clinically viable therapies.