Chapter 2

The Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils Against Multi-Drug-Resistance Microorganisms: A Review

Pio Maria Furneri, Virginia Fuochi, Edmondo Lissandrello, Giulio Petronio Petroniox, Petronio Petronio, Massimo Fresta and Donatella Paolino

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants probably dates back thousands of years. There is archaeological evidence that dates back to their first use, probably to 60,000 years ago. The main products of the plants, which have shown antimicrobial activity, can be classified as phenolics, terpenoids, essential oils (EOs), alkaloids, lectins, polypeptides, and polyacetilenes. Among plant extracts, the essential oils have been used in traditional medicine as therapeutic remedies in the past thanks to their pharmacological properties and their therapeutic importance has been discussed on numerous occasions in the literature. According to the literature, it is known that some EOs possess good antimicrobial activity even against multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains and it has also been seen that some EOs can improve the activity of antibiotics, reducing the dose and toxicity, when used in combination. This review will discuss the antimicrobial activity of EOs with particular attention on their components that can have biological applications, and attention will be focused on those EOs that have shown an activity against MDR microorganisms.

Total Pages: 23-54 (32)

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