Myths about herbal antimicrobials:जीवाणुरोधी आयुर्वेदिक दवाओं के बारे में कैसे कैसे भ्रम हैं.

Myths about herbal antimicrobials: जीवाणुरोधी आयुर्वेदिक दवाओं के बारे में कैसे कैसे भ्रम हैं.

One of the most important myths is that herbal drugs are more effective than conventional antimicrobials. The second is that they are broad spectrum. The third is that there is no emergence of resistance in microbes for herbal antimicrobials. The fourth is that they are safer than antibiotics. Fifth is that herbal antimicrobials are compatible with other food ingredients. However, as I have said they are all myths and not the whole reality.

Herbal drugs are more effective than conventional antimicrobials: Studies have revealed that barring a few (Carvacrol from Oregano oil, thyme oil, ajowan oil, cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon and cinnamon oil) they are less effective than common antibiotics1-4. Besides, herbal antimicrobials are very less effective qualitatively having mostly non-achievable minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) i.e. bio-availability in our body system in low and limit their utility mostly as a topical or local antimicrobial. Moreover, toxicity studies are very few to justify their systemic use.

Herbal drugs are broad spectrum in their activity: It is not the fact, only a few are really broad-spectrum especially those containing cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol, others have narrow-spectrum in their antimicrobial activity1-6. A few are more active against Gram-positive bacteria (Sandalwood oil, Kalonji seed oil), some are effective on yeasts and molds (Lemongrass oil) and some are on Gram-negative bacteria (thyme oil) only.
There is no emergence of resistance in microbes for herbal antimicrobials: in support of this myth, several arguments are put including the multicomponent structure of herbs. However, the truth is the same as for antibiotics, resistance to herbal antimicrobials and multiple herbal antimicrobial resistance (MHAR) is as common as multiple antibiotic drug resistance (MDR)5-6.
Herbal antimicrobials are safer than antibiotics: In real no, such comparison has been made and the adverse effect of herbal antimicrobials can be known from their users. The biggest drawback is their ineffectiveness; millions have lost their lives for infectious diseases in the pre-antibiotic era dependent on herbal antimicrobials. The high MIC of herbs is another concern limiting their use as therapeutic agents1-6.
Herbal antimicrobials are compatible with other food ingredients: This is also a sheer perception; recent ongoing studies have revealed that herbal antimicrobials may have synergy or antagonism with other food and drug components. The most effective herbal antimicrobials (carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde) become inactive in presence of saturates fats, may have synergy with some antimicrobials as carbapenems, nitrofurans, polymyxins etc.
Therefore, accepting herbal antimicrobials as future armament against pathogenic microbes is premature and need lot many studies. However, herbs may be the source of several useful antimicrobial compounds which may lead to a formulation of useful medicines.
Resources:
1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274255982_Antibacterial_activity_of_Caraway_essential_oil_against_bacteria_isolated_from_veterinary_clinical_cases
2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283352721_Antimicrobial_Activity_of_Natural_Edible_Gums
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286035483_Antimicrobial_Activity_of_Citronella_Essential_Oil_on_Antimicrobial_Drug_Resistant_Bacteria_from_Veterinary_Clinical_Cases
4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258504727_Antimicrobial_and_Herbal_Drug_Resistance_in_Enteric_Bacteria_Isolated_from_Faecal_Droppings_of_Common_House_LizardGecko_Hemidactylus_frenatus
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283859908_Emergence_of_Herbal_Antimicrobial_Drug_Resistance_in_Clinical_Bacterial_Isolates
6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274570042_Multiple-herbal-antimicrobial-resistance_MHAR_in_microbes_of_animals_birds_fish_food_lizard_and_water_origin
7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313647307_Antimicrobial_Drug_Resistance_Pattern_of_Bacteria_Isolated_from_Cases_of_Abortion_and_Metritis_in_Animals
8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312159649_Emergence_of_antibiotic_resistance_in_captive_wildlife
9.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312218154_Potential_of_Herbal_Drug_and_Antibiotic_Combination_Therapy_A_New_Approach_to_Treat_Multidrug_Resistant_Bacteria
10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312213824_Comparative_Antimicrobial_Activity_of_Tea_Tree_Oil_Melaleuca_Oil_and_Common_Topical_Antimicrobials_against_Bacteria_Associated_With_Wound_and_Topical_Infections
11.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305722345_Effect_of_Herbal_Antimicrobials_on_Bacterial_Strains_of_Foods_of_Vegetable_and_Animal_Origin_Open_Access
12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309591192_Amino_acid_profiling_viscosity_and_antibacterial_activity_of_acacia_gums_from_different_locations_in_India
13. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260173692_Antimicrobial_activity_of_lemongrass_Cymbopogon_citratus_oil_against_microbes_of_environmental_clinical_and_food_origin
14. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260198619_Comparative_evaluation_of_antimicrobial_effect_of_Artemisia_vulgaris_essential_oils_extracted_from_fresh_and_dried_herb
15. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260198629_Antimicrobial_activity_on_common_pathogens_in_essential_oil_of_aerial_parts_of_Selinum_wallichianum
16.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260198605_Antimicrobial_drug_resistance_against_Eucalyptus_citriodora_gum_in_strains_of_common_microbes_of_public_health_concern_isolated_from_food_animals_and_environment
17.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258831812_Evaluation_of_Antibacterial_Activity_of_Sage_Salvia_officinalis_Oil_on_Veterinary_Clinical_Isolates_of_Bacteria
18. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281022423_Antimicrobial_Activity_of_Rose_Geranium_Pelargonium_roseum_Essential_Oil_on_Bacteria_of_Veterinary_Clinical_Origin
19. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283638352_Antimicrobial_activity_of_Commiphora_wightii_gum_Guggul_gum_extract_against_gram_positive_and_gram_negative_bacteria
20. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298790017_Antimicrobial_activity_of_ethanolic_and_aqueous_extracts_of_common_edible_gums_against_pathogenic_bacteria_of_animal_and_human_health_significance
21. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299599050_Antimicrobial_and_herbal_drug_resistance_pattern_of_important_pathogens_of_animal_health_importance_at_Bareilly
22. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301700346_Antimicrobial_Activity_of_Methanolic_Extract_and_Ether_Extract_of_Ageratum_conyzoides
23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298338460_Antimicrobial_Activity_in_Aqueous_and_Methanolic_Leaf_Extract_of_Eupatorium_odoratum_against_Bacteria_of_Clinical_and_Nonclinical_Origin