Research Progress on the Antibacterial Activity of Natural Flavonoids

The use of antibiotics has greatly improved the treatment of bacterial infections; however, its abuse and misuse has led to a rapid rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Therefore, the search for new antimicrobial strategies has become critical. Natural flavonoids, a class of widely existing p...

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Main Authors: Zhijin Zhang, Mingze Cao, Zixuan Shang, Jing Xu, Xu Chen, Zhen Zhu, Weiwei Wang, Xiaojuan Wei, Xuzheng Zhou, Yubin Bai, Jiyu Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Antibiotics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/4/334
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author Zhijin Zhang
Mingze Cao
Zixuan Shang
Jing Xu
Xu Chen
Zhen Zhu
Weiwei Wang
Xiaojuan Wei
Xuzheng Zhou
Yubin Bai
Jiyu Zhang
author_facet Zhijin Zhang
Mingze Cao
Zixuan Shang
Jing Xu
Xu Chen
Zhen Zhu
Weiwei Wang
Xiaojuan Wei
Xuzheng Zhou
Yubin Bai
Jiyu Zhang
author_sort Zhijin Zhang
collection DOAJ
description The use of antibiotics has greatly improved the treatment of bacterial infections; however, its abuse and misuse has led to a rapid rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Therefore, the search for new antimicrobial strategies has become critical. Natural flavonoids, a class of widely existing phytochemicals, have gained significant research interest for their diverse biological activities and antibacterial effects on various drug-resistant bacteria. This review summarizes the latest research progress on flavonoids, with a particular focus on several flavonoids exhibiting certain antibacterial activity, and explores their antibacterial mechanisms, including disruption of cell membranes and cell walls, inhibition of proteins and nucleic acids, interference with signal transduction, suppression of efflux pump activity, and inhibition of biofilm formation and virulence factor production. Additionally, we have reviewed the synergistic combinations of flavonoids with antibiotics, such as the combination of quercetin with colistin or EGCG with tetracycline, which significantly enhance therapeutic efficacy.
format Article
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publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Antibiotics
spelling doaj-art-38e205d20c8f415dbedc4514dc89be212025-08-20T02:28:40ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822025-03-0114433410.3390/antibiotics14040334Research Progress on the Antibacterial Activity of Natural FlavonoidsZhijin Zhang0Mingze Cao1Zixuan Shang2Jing Xu3Xu Chen4Zhen Zhu5Weiwei Wang6Xiaojuan Wei7Xuzheng Zhou8Yubin Bai9Jiyu Zhang10Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Congtai District, Handan 056038, ChinaKey Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaKey Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaKey Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Congtai District, Handan 056038, ChinaKey Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaKey Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaKey Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaKey Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaKey Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaThe use of antibiotics has greatly improved the treatment of bacterial infections; however, its abuse and misuse has led to a rapid rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Therefore, the search for new antimicrobial strategies has become critical. Natural flavonoids, a class of widely existing phytochemicals, have gained significant research interest for their diverse biological activities and antibacterial effects on various drug-resistant bacteria. This review summarizes the latest research progress on flavonoids, with a particular focus on several flavonoids exhibiting certain antibacterial activity, and explores their antibacterial mechanisms, including disruption of cell membranes and cell walls, inhibition of proteins and nucleic acids, interference with signal transduction, suppression of efflux pump activity, and inhibition of biofilm formation and virulence factor production. Additionally, we have reviewed the synergistic combinations of flavonoids with antibiotics, such as the combination of quercetin with colistin or EGCG with tetracycline, which significantly enhance therapeutic efficacy.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/4/334natural flavonoidsmultidrug-resistant bacteriaantibacterial activityantibacterial mechanismsynergistic effects
spellingShingle Zhijin Zhang
Mingze Cao
Zixuan Shang
Jing Xu
Xu Chen
Zhen Zhu
Weiwei Wang
Xiaojuan Wei
Xuzheng Zhou
Yubin Bai
Jiyu Zhang
Research Progress on the Antibacterial Activity of Natural Flavonoids
Antibiotics
natural flavonoids
multidrug-resistant bacteria
antibacterial activity
antibacterial mechanism
synergistic effects
title Research Progress on the Antibacterial Activity of Natural Flavonoids
title_full Research Progress on the Antibacterial Activity of Natural Flavonoids
title_fullStr Research Progress on the Antibacterial Activity of Natural Flavonoids
title_full_unstemmed Research Progress on the Antibacterial Activity of Natural Flavonoids
title_short Research Progress on the Antibacterial Activity of Natural Flavonoids
title_sort research progress on the antibacterial activity of natural flavonoids
topic natural flavonoids
multidrug-resistant bacteria
antibacterial activity
antibacterial mechanism
synergistic effects
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/4/334
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