Flavonoids: potential novel inhibitors of mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health concern and a leading cause of death worldwide. The emergence of drug-resistant TB strains poses a significant threat to public health and is contributing to the growing rate of TB infections globally. Therefore, it is crucial to explore new and safe drugs for TB treatment. Despite significant progress in developing new drugs, many existing treatments and prevention strategies for TB do not achieve the desired positive health outcomes for various reasons. Small-molecule treatments can potentially address drug resistance and provide opportunities for multimodal therapy. This review focuses on recent advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the mechanisms of flavonoids in antimycobacterial properties. Given the urgent need for new antimycobacterial agents to enhance the effectiveness of current drugs, investigating flavonoids as potential candidates is promising. Evidence suggests that specific structural characteristics in flavonoids play a significant role in their antimycobacterial effects, among other pharmacological activities. Flavonoids can act through various mechanisms, such as disrupting bacterial cell membranes or inhibiting the production of essential cellular components like DNA. These findings may prompt further research to enhance our understanding of how flavonoids combat tuberculosis, potentially establishing their importance as key compounds in treating the disease.