Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41504837›Full record

ReviewWorld journal of microbiology & biotechnology2026

A review on novel strategies to combat multidrug resistance in pathogenic bacteria exploiting synergism between essential oil and antibiotics.

Ishita Mazumder, Muskan Rehman, Falguni Deshmukh, Shrushti Shah, Akshita Singh, Sudha Ramaiah, Elizabeth Annie George, Anand Anbarasu

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in World journal of microbiology & biotechnology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Antibiotic resistance inFrontiers in microbiology · 2026
    Review
  6. Review
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Ishita MazumderDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
Muskan RehmanDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
Falguni DeshmukhDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
Shrushti ShahDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
Akshita SinghDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sudha RamaiahDepartment of Bio-Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
Elizabeth Annie GeorgeDepartment of Bio-Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
Anand AnbarasuDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India. aanand@vit.ac.in.

Funding

Indian Council of Medical Research IRIS ID: 2021-10630
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The rapid rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has rendered many conventional antibiotics ineffective, therefore urging the need for novel treatment approaches. In the last few years, essential oils have been studied for their potential to enhance the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics. Essential oils contain several bioactive compounds, such as terpenes and phenols. In this review we discuss how the combination of essential oils with antibiotics can be used to improve their action against antibiotic resistant bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Combination of essential oils with antibiotics can make bacterial membranes more permeable; inhibit efflux pumps that are involved in the extrusion of drugs; interfere with bacterial biofilm formation; and decrease bacterial virulence and communication (quorum sensing). Laboratory studies, including checkerboard and time–kill assays, demonstrate that some essential oils, such as lavender, thyme, oregano, and cinnamon, can significantly reduce the antibiotic doses required to inhibit bacterial growth. Such combinations restore the effectiveness of antibiotics but, most importantly minimize side effects and increase the scope of treating bacterial infections. However, the standardization and formulations of essential oils needs further study on safety and application in a clinical setting. Upcoming technologies, including nanocarrier-based delivery systems, may enable the development of essential oil-antibiotic synergy into a practical, feasible approach in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsBacteriaDrug Resistance, Multiple, BacterialOils, VolatileBacterial InfectionsBiofilmsDrug SynergismHumansMicrobial Sensitivity TestsQuorum SensingAnti-Bacterial AgentsOils, VolatileAntimicrobial resistanceBiofilm disruptionEfflux pump inhibitionEssential oilsMultidrug-resistant bacteriaPhytochemical synergySynergistic interaction

Identifiers

PMID41504837

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.