DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajp.2025.v14i05.003

Pages: 103-109

A major factor in the emergence of resistance to pathogens is the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. The spread of microorganisms, often resistant to antimicrobial therapy is also facilitated by the lack of quality water and sanitation and infection prevention and control measures. In recent days it has been observed the emergence of resistance in several pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria against the drugs applied. To control this global problem, there is an urgent need for the development of new antibacterial agents that can reduce treatment period, affect resistant strains and increase the effect of the applied treatment. It has been described that riboswitches regulate the expression of a number of genes which are responsible for synthesizing important metabolites which are need for finction of bacterial cells. An important strategy for overcoming bacterial resistance can be the development of drugs which can inhibit different bacterial riboswitches, which are essential for bacterial life and which are known to be suitable targets for creating of new antibacterial drugs. Cancer is one of the world's most common diseases, causing millions of deaths a year. Malignant diseases are the second (after heartvascular diseases) in terms of public health importance in Europe. This highlights the need for searching for new therapeutic agents for treatment of malignant diseases. One important trend can be application of plant extracts, containing compounds such as triterpenes: Oleanolic acid and Ursolic acid and omega-3 fatty acids such as Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid, which advantages are that possess simultaneously both antimicrobial and anticancer activities and that are less toxic than synthetic prodused drugs and this is of great importance for healt prevention.