Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Siddha Microbiology and Infectious Disease Research
Keywords:
Siddha medicine, Microbiology, Infectious diseases, Antimicrobial activity, Immunomodulation, Traditional medicine, Drug discovery, Antimicrobial resistance, Integrative healthcare, Medicinal plantsAbstract
Background: Infectious diseases continue to represent a significant global health burden despite advances in microbiology, antimicrobial therapy, and public health interventions. The emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms, newly emerging pathogens, and recurrent infectious disease outbreaks has intensified the need for innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to disease prevention and management. Siddha medicine, one of the oldest traditional systems of medicine practiced in South India, possesses extensive knowledge related to infectious diseases, antimicrobial therapies, immune regulation, and preventive healthcare. Increasing scientific interest has led to the investigation of Siddha medicinal plants and formulations using modern microbiological, immunological, pharmacological, and molecular research methodologies, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Objective: To review the interdisciplinary contributions of Siddha medicine to microbiology and infectious disease research, evaluate the scientific evidence supporting Siddha-based antimicrobial and immunomodulatory interventions, and explore their relevance in contemporary biomedical sciences.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, MEDLINE, and the AYUSH Research Portal. Publications from 2000 to 2025 were screened and analyzed. Classical Siddha texts, microbiological studies, immunological investigations, phytochemical analyses, molecular docking studies, clinical research, and review articles related to Siddha medicine and infectious diseases were included. Information regarding medicinal plants, traditional formulations, antimicrobial mechanisms, immunological effects, and interdisciplinary research applications was systematically extracted and synthesized.
Results: The review identified substantial evidence supporting the antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities of several Siddha medicinal plants, including Andrographis paniculata (Nilavembu), Tinospora cordifolia (Seenthil), Azadirachta indica (Veppam), Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Phyllanthus emblica (Nellikai), Terminalia chebula (Kadukkai), and Withania somnifera (Amukkara). These medicinal plants contain diverse bioactive phytochemicals capable of inhibiting microbial growth, modulating host immune responses, suppressing microbial virulence factors, and preventing biofilm formation. Modern microbiological investigations demonstrated activity against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms, including multidrug-resistant bacteria. Interdisciplinary approaches involving molecular biology, bioinformatics, metabolomics, systems pharmacology, and immunology have facilitated the identification of active compounds, elucidation of antimicrobial mechanisms, and scientific validation of traditional Siddha therapeutic practices. Siddha formulations such as Nilavembu Kudineer and Kabasura Kudineer have also demonstrated potential immunomodulatory and supportive therapeutic effects in infectious disease management.
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