Presuming you identify a plant extract with useful effect, a major challenge will be batch-to-batch variations in composition and resulting inconsistent efficacy and safety.

Combining antibiotics with plant extracts can enhance antimicrobial efficacy through synergistic effects, but challenges include variability in extract composition and stability issues. Techniques like nanoencapsulation and lyophilization can help produce stable formulations, with relevant studies demonstrating successful reformulation efforts.

In my research to discover bioactive molecules from medicinal plants with the potential to eliminate pathogens, I have identified many that show significant antibacterial activity in vitro, comparable to antibiotics. However, these plant extracts face several barriers that prevent them from fully replacing conventional antibiotics. These include:

Additionally, in my experience, some plant extracts show strong antibacterial effects as crude mixtures. However, once fractionated, their potency often diminishes, suggesting that their activity relies on synergistic interactions between different compounds. This adds another layer of complexity to the drug discovery process.

I hope this information is helpful. Feel free to reach out privately if you have any further questions.

Best regards,