Abstract
Increasing threats due to microbial infections during disease outbreaks
resulted in excessive usage of antibiotics. Even during viral disease outbreaks,
antibacterial agents are widely prescribed to control bacterial co-infections as a
precautionary measure. Moreover, inappropriate use of antibiotics steered towards the
development of resistance against a diverse group of antibiotics. Dispersion of
multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens in the environment is one of the reasons for the
development of multi-drug resistance among opportunistic and commensal organisms.
This poses a major risk to the healthcare sector. Excessive usage of antibiotics not only
results in antibiotic resistance but also in multiple healths associated diseases in
humans, such as ulcers, abdominal cramps and discomfort, and anaphylactic shock.
Hence, a safe, target-oriented drug with or without minimum side effects is demanded
to control multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. The marine environment hosts the
habituation of several plants, animals, and microorganisms. It also harbors novel,
potent therapeutic agents against emerging pathogens. Recent research reports state that
biosurfactants from marine bacteria, fungi, algae, animals, and plants possess targeted
activity against human pathogens. These biosurfactants restrict the growth of microbial
pathogens by several mechanisms. Biofilm formation is the major mechanism adopted
by many MDR strains to overcome antibiotic treatment. Biosurfactants are reported to
prevent even compact biofilms by preventing the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to the
host system or clinical devices. Also, they inhibit cell-to-cell signalling and down-regulate the genes coding for biofilm formation, thereby ensuring the complete removal
of MDR pathogens. Novel biosurfactants from marine sources render a wide
opportunity in drug selection to combat multi-drug resistant organisms.
Keywords: Anti-adhesive, Anti-biofilm, Antibiotic treatment, Antifungal, Antimicrobials, Anti-viral, Biosurfactants, Cell membrane disruption, Drug synergism, Glycolipids, Holothuroids, Inhibition of protein synthesis, Lipopeptides, Lipoproteins, Marine biosurfactants, Micellisation, Multi-drug resistance, Saponins, Sophorolipids, Triterpenoid aglycon.