## 4 Concluding Remarks and Perspectives  
This article underscores the urgent necessity of comprehending the mechanisms of action of plant antimicrobials to combat antimicrobial resistance effectively. It highlights the potential of plant-derived compounds as viable natural alternatives to synthetic antimicrobials, which can significantly mitigate pathogenic threats and enhance food safety. This study also notes a burgeoning trend in international collaboration, particularly between researchers in China and the United States, which enriches the quality of research by integrating diverse perspectives and methodologies. Plant antimicrobial compounds present promising solutions to the pressing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Their mechanisms of action include disrupting cell membranes and inhibiting biofilm formation, both of which are critical in preventing bacterial survival and proliferation. A bibliometric analysis indicates a notable surge in research interest, especially in prestigious journals such as \"Frontiers in Microbiology\" and \"Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy\", reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of these compounds in the scientific community. Scientometric mapping identified seven research clusters, covering molecular mechanisms of action, antimicrobial resistance, gene regulation, phytochemical properties, nanotechnology applications, antifungal activity, and immunomodulation. The literature review detailed how plant antimicrobials disrupt bacterial membranes, inhibit biofilm formation, suppress efflux pumps, and interfere with virulence factors. Synergistic interactions with conventional antibiotics were also noted, reinforcing their potential in improving treatment efficacy against resistant pathogens. Advances in nanotechnology have further expanded their applications by improving stability, bioavailability, and controlled release. Moving forward, research should focus on refining the technological applications of these bioactive compounds, optimizing large-scale production while addressing challenges related to standardization, bioavailability, and toxicity. Strategies such as metabolic engineering and nanocarrier-based delivery systems could enhance their therapeutic and industrial potential. A deeper understanding of their molecular interactions with bacterial targets will contribute to developing targeted antimicrobial agents that mitigate resistance. Additionally, fostering collaboration between researchers and industry stakeholders, establishing standardized extraction and testing protocols, and integrating these findings into clinical and food safety frameworks will translate scientific advancements into practical solutions. Expanding interdisciplinary approaches through genomics, bioinformatics, and biotechnology will strengthen efforts to harness plant-derived antimicrobials for global health and food preservation. Conceptualization, methodology, and formal analysis, J.G.P.-F., L.G.-C., E.C.-L. and L.A.P.-T.; writing--original draft preparation, J.G.P.-F. and E.P.-E.; writing--review and editing, [PERSON]-[PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON]-L., [PERSON]-J., [PERSON]-O., E.S.B.-S., I.O.O.-S., J.A.G.-S., G.Y.A.-L. and L.A.P.-T., supervision, [PERSON]-L., [PERSON]-L., [PERSON]-J. and L.A.P.-T.; project administration, L.G.G.-O., E.S.B.-S. and J.A.G.-S.; and funding acquisition, [PERSON]-T., [PERSON]-L. and [PERSON]-C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. **Funding:** This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. **Informed Consent Statement:** Not applicable. **Data Availability Statement:** Not applicable. **Acknowledgments:** The authors thank the Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hidalgo (UAEH) and the Sistema Nacional de Investigadoras e Investigadores (SNII) of the Secretaria de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnologia e Innovacion (SECIHTI) for their support.