Attenuation of Quorum Sensing Controlled Virulence Factors and Biofilm Formation by Edible Fruit Extract of Coccinia indica against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic human pathogen that mainly infects immunocompromised individuals and patients with urinary tract infection and chronic infections of the respiratory pathways, including cystic fibrosis. Many quorum sensing (QS) controlled components such as bio surfactants and swarming motilities play an important role in the establishment of biofilms. Targeting these factors through anti-QS strategies prevent biofilm formation and treating infections. Coccinia indica commonly called little gourd is used to treat diabetes, wound, burn infections and has antioxidant, antibacterial and antitussive properties.
 Methods: The methanolic fruit extract of C. indica was prepared and screened for anti-QS and anti-biofilm formation activity. Pyocyanin inhibition, rhamnolipid, crystal violet staining assay tests was performed and the extract was observed under fluorescent microscope.
 Results: The results obtained are as follows - the fruit extract inhibits the pyocyanin at 58.13% and 42.27% at 0.5 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml, biofilm at 69.86% and 49.06% at 0.5 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml, inhibits rhamnolipid assay and under fluorescent microscope it is seen scattered whereas control produce biofilm matrix like appearance.
 Conclusion: Since less study has been made on the quorum sensing and biofilm activity of C.indica our study aimed to fulfil it and it was found that it exhibits good biofilm formation and thus can be used for treating infections.

The Molecular Architecture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum-Sensing Inhibitors

“…Ferula oil and Dorema oil, belonging to the Apiaceae family, and grapefruit ( Citrus paradisi ) essential oils can produce flavonoids, which were found to reduce virulence factor production and interfere with the communication between bacteria [ 157 , 158 ]. Extracts from other natural sources such as the methanol extract of T. bellerica and extracts of Oscillatoria subuliformis , Moringa oleifera , Cuphea carthagenensis , Coccinia indica , and Muntingia calabura L. leaves, have been reported to interfere with the biofilm development and QS of P. aeruginosa [ 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 ]. The extracted metabolites of the endolichenic fungi (ELF) Aspergillus quandricinctus of Usnea longissima affect the activities of elastase and protease and prevent the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa [ 165 ].…”

Inhibition realization of multidrug resistant bacterial and fungal isolates using Coccinia indica extracts

“…In the current investigation, a fast-growing tropical vine Coccinia indica also known as ivy gourd or baby watermelon was selected on the basis of its profound biological and pharmacological activities observed in the literature ( Niazi et al, 2009 , Raje et al, 2013 ). Though there some studies pertaining to its antibacterial ( Devi et al, 2021 ) and antifungal activities however, with different species ( Venkateswaran and Pari, 2003 ) almost all parts of the plants have been used as drug in traditional medical branches of Ayurveda and Unani. Many diseases like leprosy, tumor and jaundice have been treated with extract of fruits and leaves due to its antioxidant nature while, animal studies have shown to reduce plasma glucose levels in diabetes ( Shifali et al, 2021 ).…”