Potential Synergistic Action of Bioactive Compounds from Plant Extracts against Skin Infecting Microorganisms

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jul 19;21(14):5105. doi: 10.3390/ijms21145105.

Abstract

The skin is an important organ that acts as a physical barrier to the outer environment. It is rich in immune cells such as keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, mast cells, and T cells, which provide the first line of defense mechanisms against numerous pathogens by activating both the innate and adaptive response. Cutaneous immunological processes may be stimulated or suppressed by numerous plant extracts via their immunomodulatory properties. Several plants are rich in bioactive molecules; many of these exert antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. The present study describes the impact of plant extracts on the modulation of skin immunity, and their antimicrobial effects against selected skin invaders. Plant products remain valuable counterparts to modern pharmaceuticals and may be used to alleviate numerous skin disorders, including infected wounds, herpes, and tineas.

Keywords: immunological response; modulation of skin immunity; plant extracts; skin diseases; skin pathogens.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / immunology
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / microbiology
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / immunology
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / drug therapy*
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / immunology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / microbiology*
  • Virus Diseases / drug therapy
  • Virus Diseases / immunology
  • Virus Diseases / virology

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Plant Extracts