Natural Antimicrobials against Drug Resistance: Pharmacological Insights into Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Garlic (Allium sativum) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health concern due to the overuse of antibiotics in human, animal, and agricultural settings. Medicinal plants that have long been used in traditional medicine, such as turmeric (Curcuma longa), garlic (Allium sativum), and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), provide intriguing therapeutic possibilities in response. These three botanicals' pharmacological activities and phytochemical compositions are compiled and examined in this review. Tulsi's broad-spectrum antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties are attributed to its abundance of phenolic chemicals, flavonoids, and essential oils, particularly eugenol. Garlic's strong antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, cardioprotective, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive properties are supported by a range of sulfur-based chemicals, including allicin and ajoene’s. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, and anticancer properties are conferred by turmeric's main curcuminoids, particularly curcumin. In order to demonstrate the significance of these plants as safer, natural substitutes or adjuncts in the treatment of infectious, metabolic, and chronic disorders, the article emphasizes the molecular mechanisms underlying these various pharmacological activities.  In order to address the urgent problems of AMR and drug-resistant diseases, this article places a strong emphasis on fusing traditional herbal knowledge with current biological research.