The treatment of infectious diseases is becoming increasingly difficult due to the growing increase of microorganisms resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents. The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) constitutes a serious problem for public health. The presence and the diffusion of these microorganisms could make people susceptible to pathogens previously harmless to human health. In this context, natural sources play a prominent role in the drug discovery field, due to the presence of compounds able to interfere with the biological functions of different microorganisms. The natural sources of antimicrobial molecules include plants, microorganisms, essential oils, insects, etc. Besides, several bacterial products such as supernatants, exopolysaccharides, biosurfactants, volatile organic compounds, non-ribosomal peptides, and pigments can exert an antimicrobial action, alone or in combination with antimicrobial drugs. Furthermore, insects, thanks to their high biodiversity, with over one million described species, represent one of the major sources of molecules with antimicrobial activity including peptides, lipids, chitin and its derivatives.
The goal of the present Research Topic is to collect works focusing on the study of the antimicrobial effects of unexplored natural sources against MDROs. Manuscripts highlighting innovative extraction techniques and active-compounds isolation methods are also considered. Research articles exploring technological systems (liposomes, nanoparticles, etc.) to deliver the natural antimicrobials or to enhance the bioavailability of natural compounds are also included among the topics.
The present Research Topic is open to the research papers focusing on:
- Inhibitory effect of natural sources on the growth and invasiveness of MDROs
- The isolation and characterization of new and effective antimicrobials molecules from natural sources.
- Drugs delivery systems of antimicrobial compounds.
- Mechanism of action of natural antimicrobials.
- New and alternative methods of isolation and characterization of antimicrobial molecules from natural sources.
The treatment of infectious diseases is becoming increasingly difficult due to the growing increase of microorganisms resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents. The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) constitutes a serious problem for public health. The presence and the diffusion of these microorganisms could make people susceptible to pathogens previously harmless to human health. In this context, natural sources play a prominent role in the drug discovery field, due to the presence of compounds able to interfere with the biological functions of different microorganisms. The natural sources of antimicrobial molecules include plants, microorganisms, essential oils, insects, etc. Besides, several bacterial products such as supernatants, exopolysaccharides, biosurfactants, volatile organic compounds, non-ribosomal peptides, and pigments can exert an antimicrobial action, alone or in combination with antimicrobial drugs. Furthermore, insects, thanks to their high biodiversity, with over one million described species, represent one of the major sources of molecules with antimicrobial activity including peptides, lipids, chitin and its derivatives.
The goal of the present Research Topic is to collect works focusing on the study of the antimicrobial effects of unexplored natural sources against MDROs. Manuscripts highlighting innovative extraction techniques and active-compounds isolation methods are also considered. Research articles exploring technological systems (liposomes, nanoparticles, etc.) to deliver the natural antimicrobials or to enhance the bioavailability of natural compounds are also included among the topics.
The present Research Topic is open to the research papers focusing on:
- Inhibitory effect of natural sources on the growth and invasiveness of MDROs
- The isolation and characterization of new and effective antimicrobials molecules from natural sources.
- Drugs delivery systems of antimicrobial compounds.
- Mechanism of action of natural antimicrobials.
- New and alternative methods of isolation and characterization of antimicrobial molecules from natural sources.