A review of some antimicrobial compounds isolated from medicinal plants reported in the literature 1978–1988

Abstract This paper reviews the literature on recent antimicrobial plant products (1978–1988) and medicinal plants used for the treatment of infectious diseases. The review includes accounts of extracts, essential oils and other active principles isolated from plants that have been used in folk medicine as antimicrobial agents. The name and part of the plants studied, the spectrum of activity, type of active compounds and methods used are discussed, as are their mechanisms of action.