Antimicrobial Activity and Medicinal Plants in the North and East of Syria: A Review Study

Abstract

Herbal plants contain a medicinal source with antimicrobial properties that offer a safer and more cost-effective method to treat human pathogens. Scientists in the field are performing research on plants to discover their potential antimicrobial compounds. This study aimed to conduct a review of the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and investigate particular herbal plants with medicinal activities in the north and east of Syria. Considering that some herbal plants, including Cuminum cyminum, Mentha piperita, Allium cepa, Majorana hortensis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Thymus capitatus, Achillea millefolium, Malva parviflor, and Capparis spinose, have antifungal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities, the products obtained from these plants may be used to control the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, this study focused on the chemical compounds, including p-cymene, kaempferol, quercetin, capsaicin, 1,8-cineole, flavonoids, gallic acid, and alkaloids, which play a role in inhibiting microbial growth. Based on the results obtained from this review study, using these herbal plants can control human infectious, pathogenic, cancerous, and antioxidant diseases.

Keywords: Herbal plant, Antimicrobial activity, Antibiotic, Infectious pathogens