The research of antibiotics and antiviral medicines has received more attention in recent years as public health and hygiene issues have grown. However, because to their possible toxicity and side effects, synthetic antimicrobial medicines have not been widely used. Because they provide safer options with fewer side effects, the usage of herbal therapies has grown in popularity. By blocking virulence factors and specifically targeting pathogenic cells, medicinal plants and their bioactive components demonstrate antimicrobial action. Numerous bioactive substances originating from plants have also demonstrated the capacity to overcome antibiotic resistance and improve the synergistic effects of currently available medications, giving them attractive options for the creation of novel pharmacological treatments to combat resistant illnesses. Moreover, oxidative stress brought on by an excess of free oxygen radicals damages cells by causing DNA hydroxylation, protein denaturation, and lipid peroxidation. Antioxidants are essential for preserving cellular integrity and shielding cells from oxidative damage. Antioxidants have historically been obtained from medicinal fruits, herbs, and spices; but, because microbes can develop quickly in controlled environments, they may also be a source. Many medicinal plants contain phytochemicals like terpenes and phenolic compounds, which have antibacterial and antioxidant properties and may be used in food preservation. It is possible to efficiently extract these bioactive compounds and use them as natural additives to extend the shelf life and safety of food. The origins, workings, and uses of herbal bioactive chemicals as sustainable substitutes for synthetic antioxidants and antibacterials are reviewed in this chapter.

Keywords: Medicinal Plants, Bioactive Compounds, Antimicrobial Activities, Oxidative Stress, Antimicrobial Resistance.