Bridging Ethnobotany and Clinical Microbiology Through the Discovery of Novel Antimicrobials from Medicinal Plants

The global surge in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a critical challenge to modern medicine, necessitating the urgent discovery of alternative therapeutic agents. Medicinal plants, long valued in traditional ethnobotanical practices, represent a rich and largely untapped source of bioactive compounds with potential antimicrobial properties. This review explores the intersection of ethnobotany and clinical microbiology to identify novel plant-derived antimicrobials that can address the growing burden of resistant pathogens. Emphasis is placed on the phytochemical classes responsible for antimicrobial action, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. Mechanistic insights, including membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition, DNA intercalation, and quorum sensing interference, are discussed to elucidate how these compounds exert their antimicrobial effects. The synergistic potential of combining plant extracts with existing antibiotics is also considered, highlighting opportunities for restoring drug efficacy. While significant progress has been made in identifying promising candidates, challenges such as standardization, toxicity profiling, and clinical validation remain. Advancing the integration of ethnobotanical knowledge with modern microbiological techniques will be essential to accelerate the development of safe, effective, and sustainable antimicrobial therapies from medicinal plants.