Integrative Therapeutics for Antimicrobial Resistance and Autoimmune Disease: Evidence and Pathways

Year : 2026 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 02 | Page : 25 30
By

Nishant Shukla,

  1. Professor and Ex. Head of Kayachikitsa, Department of Kayachikitsa, Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurved Mahavidyalaya (SGAM) (Affiliated to Gujarat Ayurved University (GAU)), Jamnagar, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is accelerating globally, while autoimmune diseases and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) continue to rise. Ayurveda offers immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and detoxification‑oriented interventions that may complement biomedical strategies. Objective: To propose a hypothesis‑driven integrative model combining Ayurvedic phytotherapy, panchakarma detoxification, and personalized dosha‑based care with evidence‑based medical management to mitigate AMR emergence, modulate autoimmunity, and reduce ADR incidence. Methods: A synthesis of mechanistic literature on Ayurvedic herbs with antimicrobial or immune‑modulating properties, alongside reviews of alternative AMR therapeutics and integrative autoimmune care. Proposed trial designs include randomized add‑on studies stratified by immune phenotype, with outcomes such as microbial clearance, resistance gene dynamics, autoantibody titers, and ADR frequency. Results: Evidence suggests that non‑traditional therapeutics – including botanicals, peptides, probiotics, and immune‑modulating agents – can complement antimicrobial strategies and address limitations of conventional one‑drug–one‑target approaches. Ayurvedic herbs and formulations demonstrate antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects in preclinical and clinical studies, while integrative autoimmune protocols show promising safety signals. Conclusion: A rigorously standardized integrative framework combining Ayurveda with modern diagnostics and stewardship warrants clinical trials to evaluate its potential to reduce antibiotic exposure, slow resistance selection, and modulate autoimmune pathways.

Keywords: Integrative medicine, Ayurveda, antimicrobial resistance, autoimmunity, adverse drug reactions, phytotherapy, drug resistance

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : A Journal of Immunology ]

How to cite this article: Nishant Shukla. Integrative Therapeutics for Antimicrobial Resistance and Autoimmune Disease: Evidence and Pathways. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Immunology. 2026; 16(02):25-30.
How to cite this URL: Nishant Shukla. Integrative Therapeutics for Antimicrobial Resistance and Autoimmune Disease: Evidence and Pathways. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Immunology. 2026; 16(02):25-30. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjoi/article=2026/view=251756

References

  1. Singha B, Singh V, Soni V. Alternative therapeutics to control antimicrobial resistance: A general perspective. Front Drug Discov. 2024;4:1385460. doi: 3389/fddsv.2024.1385460.
  2. Song Y, Li J, Wu Y. Evolving understanding of autoimmune mechanisms and new therapeutic strategies of autoimmune disorders. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2024;9:263. doi: 1038/s41392-024-01952-8.
  3. Ribeiro da Cunha B, Fonseca LP, Calado CRC. Antibiotic discovery: Where have we come from, where do we go? Antibiotics (Basel). 2019;8(2):45. doi: 3390/antibiotics8020045.
  4. Gajdács M, Albericio F. Antibiotic resistance: From the bench to patients. Antibiotics (Basel). 2019;8(3):129. doi: 3390/antibiotics8030129.
  5. Ventola CL. The antibiotic resistance crisis: Part 1: Causes and threats. P T. 2015;40(4):277–283.
  6. Ventola CL. The antibiotic resistance crisis: Part 2: Management strategies and new agents. P T. 2015;40(5):344–352.
  7. Murray CJL, Ikuta KS, Sharara F, Swetschinski L, Robles Aguilar G, Gray A, et al. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: A systematic analysis. Lancet. 2022;399(10325):629–655. doi: 1016/S0140-6736(21)02724-0.
  8. Prestinaci F, Pezzotti P, Pantosti A. Antimicrobial resistance: A global multifaceted phenomenon. Pathog Glob Health. 2015;109(7):309–318. doi: 1179/2047773215Y.0000000030.
  9. World Health Organization. Antimicrobial resistance: Global report on surveillance. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014.
  10. Laxminarayan R, Sridhar D, Blaser M, Wang M, Woolhouse M. Achieving global targets for antimicrobial resistance. Science. 2016;353(6302):874–875. doi: 1126/science.aaf9286.
  11. Hutchings MI, Truman AW, Wilkinson B. Antibiotics: Past, present and future. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2019;51:72–80. doi: 1016/j.mib.2019.10.008.
  12. Aslam B, Wang W, Arshad MI, Khurshid M, Muzammil S, Rasool MH, et al. Antibiotic resistance: A rundown of a global crisis. Infect Drug Resist. 2018;11:1645–1658. doi: 2147/IDR.S173867.
  13. Clatworthy AE, Pierson E, Hung DT. Targeting virulence: A new paradigm for antimicrobial therapy. Nat Chem Biol. 2007;3(9):541–548. doi: 1038/nchembio.2007.24.
  14. Czaplewski L, Bax R, Clokie M, Dawson M, Fairhead H, Fischetti VA, et al. Alternatives to antibiotics—A pipeline portfolio review. Lancet Infect Dis. 2016;16(2):239–251. doi: 1016/S1473-3099(15)00466-1.
  15. Katiyar SK. Emerging phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of head and neck cancer. Molecules. 2016;21(12):1610. doi: 3390/molecules21121610.
  16. Gupta SC, Patchva S, Aggarwal BB. Therapeutic roles of curcumin: Lessons learned from clinical trials. AAPS J. 2013;15(1):195–218. doi: 1208/s12248-012-9432-8.
  17. Pan SY, Litscher G, Gao SH, Zhou SF, Yu ZL, Chen HQ, et al. Historical perspective of traditional indigenous medical practices: The current renaissance and conservation of herbal resources. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:525340. doi: 1155/2014/525340.
  18. Ekor M. The growing use of herbal medicines: Issues relating to adverse reactions and challenges in monitoring safety. Front Pharmacol. 2014;4:177. doi: 3389/fphar.2013.00177.
  19. Tilburt JC, Kaptchuk TJ. Herbal medicine research and global health: An ethical analysis. Bull World Health Organ. 2008;86(8):594–599. doi: 2471/BLT.07.042820.
  20. Williamson EM. Synergy and other interactions in phytomedicines. Phytomedicine. 2001;8(5):401–409. doi: 1078/0944-7113-00060.
  21. Mukherjee PK, Venkatesh P, Ponnusankar S. Ethnopharmacology and integrative medicine – Let the history tell the future. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2010;1(2):100–109. doi: 4103/0975-9476.65073.
  22. Patwardhan B, Warude D, Pushpangadan P, Bhatt N. Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine: A comparative overview. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2005;2(4):465–473. doi: 1093/ecam/neh140.
  23. Vyas MK, Reddy KS. Herbal medicine in primary healthcare: An overview of evidence-based applications. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2012;3(2):57–64.
  24. Sahoo N, Manchikanti P, Dey S. Herbal drugs: Standards and regulation. Fitoterapia. 2010;81(6):462–471. doi: 1016/j.fitote.2010.02.001.
  25. Mosihuzzaman M. Herbal medicine in healthcare-an overview. Nat Prod Commun. 2012;7(6):1934578X1200700628.
  26. Bandaranayake WM. Quality control, screening, toxicity, and regulation of herbal drugs. In: Modern phytomedicine: turning medicinal plants into drugs. 2006. p. 25–57.

Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 16
Issue 02
Received 22/02/2026
Accepted 26/06/2026
Published 04/08/2026
Publication Time 163 Days


Login

My IP

PlumX Metrics