Tuberculosis (TB), is one of the deadliest infectious-diseases of human-civilization. Approximately one-third of global-population is latently-infected with the TB-pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). The discovery of anti-TB antibiotics leads to decline in death-rate of TB. However, the evolution of antibiotic-resistant, M.tb-strain, and the resurgence of different immune compromised diseases re-escalated the death-rate of TB. WHO has already cautioned about the chances of pandemic-situation in TB endemic countries unless the discovery of new antitubercular drugs, i.e., the need of the hour. Analysing the pathogenesis of TB it was found that M.tb evades the host by altering the balance of immune-response and affects either by killing the cells or by creating inflammation. In the preantibiotic era, traditional medicines were only therapeutic measures for different infectious-diseases including tuberculosis. The ancient-literatures of India or ample Indian traditional knowledge and ethnomedicinal-practices are evidence for the treatment of TB using different indigenous plants. However, in the light of modern scientific approach, anti-TB effects of those plants and their bioactive-molecules were not established thoroughly. In this review, focus has been given on five bioactive-molecules of different traditionally used Indian ethnomedicinal plants for treatment of TB or TB-like symptom. These compounds are also validated with proper identification and their mode of action with modern scientific approaches. The effectiveness of these molecules for sensitive or drug-resistant TB-pathogen in clinical or preclinical studies were also evaluated. Thus, our specific aim is to highlight such scientifically validated bioactive compounds having anti-mycobacterial and immuno-modulatory activity for future use as medicine or adjunct-therapeutic molecule for TB management.
Garlic is a well-known species of the genus Allium that acts as a natural chemotherapeutic agent and used for cure and prevention against enteric diseases. In addition, its essential oil has provided a promising way to treat different human associated diseases. Consequently, Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis among immunosuppressed individuals and develops resistance rapidly due to inappropriate therapy. Indeed, an alternative therapy is need of the hour to control resistance of mycobacterial strains. Concerned with the development of drug-resistant strains, garlic essential oil (GEO) in liquid and volatile phase was investigated against Mycobacterium smegmatis using in-vitro techniques. Furthermore, validation of anti-mycobacterial effect using GEO was also determined on M. tuberculosis with its drug resistant variants. Different in-vitro techniques, that is, extraction and identification of five major volatile constituents from GEO using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, were initially analyzed and screened out for exploration of anti-mycobacterial susceptibility tests. In addition, inverted disc method and anti-biofilm assay by GEO vapor were determined for evaluating its volatile efficacy. The efficiency of GEO in liquid phase showed growth inhibiting value at 0.03 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL as bactericidal concentration against M. smegmatis. Whereas, M. tuberculosis (H37Rv), isoniazid, and rifampicin resistant strains were found to be inhibitory concentration at 0.003, 0.06, and 0.03 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, 1 mg for inverted disc-vapor assay and 0.125 mg for antibiofilm assay in air-liquid interface were found to prevent M. smegmatis growth efficiently. Thus, vapor contact of GEO serves as a novel strategy for anti-mycobacterial activity for TB-disease. In addition, it might be introducing a novel volatile therapy technique against different pulmonary infection.
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