Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the most pressing public health concerns in the world, and traditional medicine is not immune. Traditional medicines have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments, and many of these medicines contain antimicrobial compounds. As microbial resistance evolves, so too does the need to understand and mitigate the risk posed by traditional medicines in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. This is a particularly topical issue in low to middle-income countries where traditional medicines are widely used in combination with, or in lieu of, modern medicines. For example, the use of herbal medicines in South Asian countries is very common, and as much as 80% of primary healthcare practitioners use these medicines or combinations of these medicines and modern medicines. Unfortunately, modern understanding of the composition of these traditional medicines and the active compounds contained within is limited, and so it is difficult to assess the antimicrobial activity of the compounds used. Mitigation strategies are needed to combat the potential for antimicrobial resistance related to traditional medicine. One key way to tackle this problem is to develop a better understanding of the chemical and pharmacological properties of these traditional medicines. Research is also needed into the effect that traditional medicines have on the microbiome, and the impact of traditional medicine use on antimicrobial resistance in the human gut microbiome. Furthermore, initiatives to enhance awareness in traditional medicine users and practitioners about the potential for promoting antimicrobial resistance, and how to prevent and mitigate this, are also needed. In conclusion, the potential for traditional medicines to contribute to antimicrobial resistance is a real issue that needs to be addressed. With better understanding of the chemical and pharmacological properties of these medicines, as well as initiatives to better inform traditional medicine users and practitioners of the risks of misuse, the impact of these medicines on antimicrobial resistance can be better mitigated.