There is a lot of literature available on antimicrobial action of various plant secondary metabolites like flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes etc.
Still, they are not competent enough with the existing antibiotics as well as emerging ones. What is the reason for this lesser efficacy?
Antimicrobial effects of plant secondary metabolites are investigated mainly in "in vitro" conditions.Specific concentration of plant secondary metabolites is needed to achieve the antimicrobial effect. This concentration can be cytotoxic in "in vivo" conditions. There is lack of informations about antimicrobial effects of plant secondary metabolites in "in vivo" conditions.
These are more cidal to micro-organisms in vitro when we compare with the drugs, But in vivo so many cleaving enzymes, inhibitors, digestors and solibilizers effect their activity. Second in vivo no compound is absorbed more than 50% and for absorption if carriers are no supplied antimicrobials will not reach to its target sites. These usually occur in trace amounts hence, MIC can not lonely interpret their activity well in a living system.
Thanks for the answers. However I feel the plant metabolites are less effective in in vitro screening itself when compared to existing antibiotics. Can any one of you suggest an effective antimicrobial molecule as effective as antibiotics beyond its poor bioavailability??
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