Antibiofilm and Antibacterial Properties of Herbal Extracts as Alternatives to Current Treatment Approaches: A Narrative Review

Bacterial biofilm formation poses significant challenges in the healthcare sector due to increased antibiotic resistance and persistent infections. This literature review explores the potential of some herbs and their extracts as alternative approaches to combat biofilm formation and multidrug-resistant bacteria. A detailed literature search was conducted across databases for published studies till 2023, to identify studies on medicinal plants' anti-biofilm and antibacterial properties. Key compounds within plant extracts showing anti-biofilm activity and their mechanisms of action were highlighted. A combination of keywords, MeSH terms, and Boolean operators were used to formulate the search strategy. Numerous studies demonstrated the efficacy of medicinal plants in inhibiting biofilm formation and combating multidrug-resistant bacteria. Active compounds such as benzyl (6Z,9Z,12Z)-6,9,12-octadecatrienoate, 3-benzyloxy-1-nitro-butan-2-ol, Pyridine, 3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-(S), and others exhibited anti-biofilm and antibacterial potential. Extracts from Berginia ciliata, Clematis grata, and Clematis viticella showed over 80% inhibition of biofilm formation, while mango leaf extracts interfered with quorum sensing mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Salvadora persica extracts displayed significant biofilm inhibition against cariogenic Streptococcus mutans isolates. Medicinal plants and their extracts hold promise as alternative strategies to combat bacterial biofilms and multidrug-resistant bacteria. The identification of active compounds provides opportunities for further research and drug development. Molecular docking studies are crucial for understanding the molecular interactions between these compounds and bacterial targets, guiding the design of effective antibacterial agents based on natural compounds. Further research, including preclinical and clinical trials, is essential to validate the safety and efficacy of these extracts and their compounds for practical application in healthcare.