Hendrix Yulis Setyawan, Aditya Kumar Singh, Arpita Roy, Soumya Pandit, Harjot Singh Gill, Mithul Rajeev, Sarvesh Rustagi, Cheng Wan Hee
The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, particularly the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species), is considered as major threat to global public health. Kaempferol, a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many plants, has been demonstrated to hold great promise as a therapeutic agent with strong antimicrobial properties against these resistant pathogens. In this review, the current state of research on kaempferol's antimicrobial activities is reported, with particular emphasis placed on its mechanisms of action against ESKAPE bacteria and other MDR organisms. It has been reported in the literature that kaempferol exerts antimicrobial effects through multiple pathways, including disruption of bacterial cell membranes, interference with DNA replication, inhibition of essential enzymes, alteration of efflux pump systems, and disruption of biofilm formation. Significant synergistic effects have also been observed when kaempferol is combined with traditional antibiotics, potentially restoring their effectiveness against resistant strains. Favourable safety profiles, low toxicity at therapeutic concentrations, and good bioavailability have been noted in comparison with other flavonoids. However, challenges remain in relation to comprehensive clinical validation, delivery system optimization, and the standardization of extraction methods. This review highlights the most recent evidence suggesting the potential of kaempferol as an alternative therapy in the fight against antibiotic resistance, while also identifying critical areas that require further research for successful clinical translation. © 2025
Department of Agroindustry, Faculty of Technology of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, Veteran St, Malang, East Java, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Life Science, School of Bioscience and Technology, Sharda University, U.P., India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioscience and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India; Centre for Phytochemical Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India; Centre for Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Punjab, India; Department of Institute of Engineering and e-governance, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, India; Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, India; Department of Food Technology, School of Agriculture, Maya Devi University, Uttarakhand, Dehradun, India; Faculty Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Nilai, 71800, Malaysia
