Inhibition of mycobacterial growth by plumbagin derivatives.

Electron transport and respiratory pathways are active in both latent and rapidly growing mycobacteria and remain conserved in all mycobacterial species. In mycobacteria, menaquinone is the sole electron carrier responsible for electron transport. Menaquinone biosynthesis pathway is found to be essential for the growth of mycobacteria.

Synergism between natural products and antibiotics against infectious diseases.

Antibiotics have been effective in treating infectious diseases, but resistance to these drugs has led to the emergence of new and the reemergence of old infectious diseases. One strategy employed to overcome these resistance mechanisms is the use of combination of drugs, such as beta-lactams together with beta-lactamase inhibitors. Several plant extracts have exhibited synergistic activity against microorganisms.