Rosmarinus officinalis L.: A Source of Potential Antimicrobial Agents for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a global concern that is levying a great economic burden on the global population. Therefore, more studies are needed from the mechanistic point of view to understand and combat antimicrobial resistance. Rosmarinus officinalis L. is a perennial shrub belonging to the Lamiaceae family, globally cultivated, and widely used in folk medicine for various ailments. Essential oil from Rosmarinus officinalis has been found to be useful in the food processing industries due to its potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Essential oil, phenolics, and diterpenes constitute the major phytoconstituents of Rosmarinus officinalis. Furthermore, the major phytoconstituents such as carnosol, carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, and essential oil exhibit potent antibacterial action against various pathogens and clinical isolates via targeting cell membrane proteins and efflux pumps.. Thus, this review encompasses the various resistance mechanisms equipped by the pathogens and provides an extensive review of the antimicrobial potential of R. officinalis extracts and its significant phytoconstituents like essential oil, phenolic diterpenes (carnosol and carnosic acid) and phenolic acid (rosmarinic acid).