Biologically active plant compounds and their mechanisms of action: review

Abstract

Introduction and Purpose: Numerous studies conducted over the past few decades have confirmed that active compounds isolated from plants have multiple biological effects, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiallergic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The primary focus of phytochemical research has been on phenolic compounds and their potential applications in medicine, cosmetics, pharmacy and agriculture. The aim of this work is to highlight the significance of biologically active components isolated from plants and to clarify their mechanisms of action at the cellular level, with the goal of contributing to the development of plant-based antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. Materials and Methods: In this scientific paper, we present the research results on biologically active compounds from plants and their mechanisms of action at the cellular level to summarize this field of study and, in part, contribute to the development of biologically active plant-derived compounds. During the database search, we used the following keywords: "biologically active plant compounds," "antimicrobial activity," and "antioxidant properties of plants." Results: Plants are characterized by a mixture of various active mechanisms with different pharmacological profiles, allowing them to affect multiple diseases, unlike synthetic drugs, which are designed to inhibit or stimulate a single pharmacological pathway. The antimicrobial potential of essential oils and plant extracts is due to the presence of many pharmacologically active compounds, and their mode of action on bacterial cells depends on the concentration of the active substance, the type of microorganism, and the structure of their cell wall. Biologically active compounds isolated from plants are associated with antioxidant activity in biological systems, as they play an important role in the absorption and neutralization of free radicals. Discussion and Conclusion: In recent years, significant efforts have been made to isolate and examine biologically active compounds from plants and their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Special attention has been given to the mechanisms of action of these compounds on microbial cells. Biologically active compounds affect the transmembrane pH gradient and membrane integrity of microbial cells, causing leakage of intracellular contents, disruption of transport and energy production processes, as well as the respiratory chain, and play an important role in the absorption and neutralization of free radicals. A review of the literature concludes that the plant world represents an inexhaustible source of biologically active compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which should continue to be studied to contribute to the development of plant-based antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.