Mining Bioactive Compounds against Drug-Resistant Microorganisms from Ethnomedicine: Examples of 32 Ethnic Medicines in Yunnan

In the next 25 years, more than 39 million deaths worldwide could be attributed to bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Urgent action is needed to discover new antibacterial compounds. Traditional medicines worldwide have been used in traditional folk remedies for various ailments, such as stomachache and scalds, which are often associated with infections. However, the underlying mechanisms of action for their antimicrobial compounds remain largely unexplored. This review highlights 32 medicines in combating drug resistant microorganisms. It explores correlations between traditional uses and antibacterial activities, identifies bioactive constituents effective against drug resistant pathogens, and aims to inform the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents. In total, these plants yield 62 compounds active against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and Candida albicans, with minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.12 to 8 μg/mL. By disrupting bacterial membranes, these compounds reduce the likelihood of resistance emergence. Twelve of these compounds demonstrate synergistic effects with antibiotics, highlighting their potential as adjuvants. This review consolidates current findings and proposes strategic priorities for the future antimicrobial therapeutics.