Antibiotics An Effective Tool, Their Categories and Action Mechanism Against Microbial Infection.

Abstract

Many antibiotics originate from microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and molds, although today some are partly or fully synthesized in laboratories. The introduction of antibiotics revolutionized modern medicine by drastically reducing deaths caused by bacterial infections, and many of today’s antibiotics are still based on these natural substances. Although people in ancient times were aware that some molds and plant extracts had antibacterial properties, the modern era of antibiotics truly began in the early 20th century, highlighted by Alexander Fleming’s groundbreaking discovery of penicillin in 1928. Antibiotics are generally categorized by their mode of action such as disrupting bacterial cell wall formation, inhibiting protein production, interfering with DNA or RNA synthesis, or blocking essential metabolic functions. The method of administration whether oral, topical, or by injection can also influence how resistance develops. Antibiotics with similar chemical structures often share similar properties, including their effectiveness, side effects, and potential for allergic reactions. Antibiotics can work in two main ways: they can be bactericidal meaning they directly kill bacteria, or bacteriostatic, meaning they stop bacterial growth. These drugs are grouped into different classes, each targeting specific bacterial structures or processes. However, bacteria continuously adapt and develop resistance mechanisms that weaken or block the effects of these drugs. These mechanisms involve altering the antibiotic’s target site, decreasing drug entry by modifying cell membrane permeability, generating enzymes that deactivate the antibiotic, and employing efflux pumps to remove the drug from the cell.