Antibiotics sourced from plants are known as phytoantibiotics. These can be regarded as an alternative source of antibiotics as compared to the more commonly occurring fungi, as well as synthetically-produced antibiotics. Plant antibiotics are also known as plant defensins.
Need for Plant antibiotics
Antibiotics are often described as the wonder drugs of the 20th century. However, increasing and rampant use of these antibiotics have resulted in antibiotic resistance. Additionally, these antibiotics produce numerous side-effects such as gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, etc. 1
It is hoped that plant-sourced and plant-based antibiotics would help in negating these side-effects as well as prove to be an effective form of resistance to infection 2 (preventive therapy).
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About Author / Additional Info:
I am a post-graduate in Biochemistry from the University of Mumbai