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Planta Med 2014; 80(01): 9-21
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1350978
Mini Reviews
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Plants: A Source for New Antimycobacterial Drugs

Ramachandran Sarojini Santhosh
1   School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, India
2   Genetic Engineering Lab, Anusandhan Kendra, SASTRAʼs Hub for Research & Innovation (SHRI), SASTRA University, Thanjavur, India
,
Balasubramanian Suriyanarayanan
1   School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, India
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 07 June 2013
revised 12 August 2013

accepted 23 September 2013

Publication Date:
11 November 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Tuberculosis, also called TB, is currently a major health hazard due to multidrug-resistant forms of bacilli. Global efforts are underway to eradicate TB using new drugs with new modes of action, higher activity, and fewer side effects in combination with vaccines. For this reason, unexplored new sources and previously explored sources were examined and around 353 antimycobacterial compounds (Nat Prod Rep 2007; 24: 278–297) [7] have been previously reported. To develop drugs from these new sources, additional work is required for preclinical and clinical results. Since ancient times, different plant part extracts have been used as traditional medicines against diseases including tuberculosis. This knowledge may be useful in developing future powerful drugs. Plant natural products are again becoming important in this regard. In this review, we report 127 antimycobacterial compounds and their antimycobacterial activities. Of these, 27 compounds had a minimum inhibitory concentration of < 10 µg/mL. In some cases, the mechanism of activity has been determined. We hope that some of these compounds may eventually develop into effective new drugs against tuberculosis.

Key words

alkaloids - flavonoids - chalcones - coumarins - lignans - phenols - terpenes - chromones - alkane - alkene - plants - Mycobacterium tuberculosis
 

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