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Phytocompounds

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Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance of the Skin

Part of the book series: Updates in Clinical Dermatology ((UCD))

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Abstract

Phytocompounds are chemicals derived from plants and their metabolites. Compiled by millennia of tradition in various cultures worldwide, phytocompounds are the origin of a great number of medications we use daily in modern medicine. Many household foods and plants are common home remedies for a variety of illnesses including infections such as garlic (Allium sativum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale). With burgeoning resistance in all pathogens of the skin, phytocompounds offer promising therapies that may be effective yet nontoxic. In this chapter, we discuss the botanical species and their metabolites along with their various mechanisms of action supporting their role against resistant bacteria, fungi, and viruses involved in infections of the skin. These include synergistic potentiation of established antimicrobials, antibiofilm properties, and the overall efficacy of botanical species against various microbes. While agents such as essential oils have been well studied in vitro, plant extracts and their metabolites critically require more clinical trials to verify their efficacy in the real world. In addition, we discuss current research trends along with challenges facing phytocompounds in a world of increasing regulations and barriers to development.

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Abbreviations

ATP:

Adenosine Triphosphate

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

HPV:

Human Papillomavirus

HSV:

Herpes Simplex Virus

KOH:

Potassium Hydroxide

QS:

Quorum Sensing

RCT:

Randomized Controlled Trial

TTO:

Tea Tree Oil

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. McGovern Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Jiasen Wang

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  1. Jiasen Wang
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Stephen K. Tyring

  2. Arlington Center for Dermatology, Arlington, TX, USA

    Stephen Andrew Moore

  3. Division of Dermatology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Angela Yen Moore

  4. Immunology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Omar Lupi

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Wang, J. (2021). Phytocompounds. In: Tyring, S.K., Moore, S.A., Moore, A.Y., Lupi, O. (eds) Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance of the Skin. Updates in Clinical Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68321-4_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68321-4_15

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