Exploring the therapeutic potential of plant-based natural products against resistant human pathogens

The emergence of drug-resistant human pathogens poses a significant challenge to global healthcare systems. In the search for novel therapeutic strategies, attention has turned towards plant-based natural products due to their rich chemical diversity and potential antimicrobial properties. This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of plant-based natural products against resistant human pathogens. Our study was conducted in Jabal Ras Ghareb, located in the Hurghada area of Egypt, which is known for its diverse plant species. A total of thirteen medicinal plants were carefully collected and subjected to extraction using methyl alcohol as the solvent. The resulting methanolic extracts were then concentrated using a rotary evaporator. Subsequently, the condensed extracts from Cleome droserifolia, Calligonum comosum, Crotalaria aegyptiaca, Zygophyllum coccineum, Noaea mucronata, Verbascum sinaiticum, Salvadora persica, Astragalus spinosus, Capparis decidua, Fagonia indica, Arnebia hispidissima, Montia dichotoma, and Forestiera segregata underwent evaluation to determine their efficacy in inhibiting human pathogens. These include Gram-negative bacterium and Gram-positive bacteria as well as Candida albicans, as pathogenic unicellular fungi. Amongst the tested plant extracts, Cleome droserifolia, Crotalaria aegyptiaca, and Calligonum comosum demonstrated significant potency against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive human pathogens and unicellular fungi as well. Notably, Helicobacter pylori, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans exhibited higher susceptibility towards these particular plant extracts. In conclusion, the exploration of plant-based natural products has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential in combating resistant human pathogens.