Evaluation of Anti-Quorum-Sensing Activity of Edible Plants and Fruits through Inhibition of the N-Acyl-Homoserine Lactone System in <i>Chromobacterium violaceum</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>

Abstract

Background: To find out an alternative strategy to antibiotic usage against bacterial infection. Materials and Methods: The purpose of this study is to describe the quorum-sensing (QS) inhibitory activity of edible plants and fruits against N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum and virulence factor expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Results: Aqueous extracts of Ananas comosus (Bromeliaceae), Musa paradiciaca (Musaceae), Manilkara zapota (Sapotaceae) and Ocimum sanctum (Lamiaceae) were prepared and anti-QS activity of each extract was tested against AHL-mediated phenotypic expressions of C. violaceum and PAO1. Most of these extracts showed significant reduction in AHL-mediated violacein production in C. violaceum as well as pyocyanin pigment, staphylolytic protease, elastase production and biofilm formation in PAO1. However, these extracts were not inhibitory to bacterial growth, revealing that the QS inhibition by the extracts is not related to static or killing effects on the bacteria. Conclusions: The present study identified the anti-QS activity of A. comosus, M. paradiciaca, M. zapota and O. sanctum. An AHL-inactivating compound from these plant sources can be used as an alternative to antibiotic compounds to prevent AHL-mediated bacterial infection in higher organisms.

Inhibition of Quorum Sensing Mediated Virulence Factors Production in Urinary Pathogen Serratia marcescens PS1 by Marine Sponges

“…Several potential QS inhibitor compounds have been discovered from eukaryotic and prokaryotic origin, which includes metabolites like halogenated furanones from Australian macroalgae Delisea pulchra [14], AHL degrading enzymes such as lactonase from Bacillus sp. [7], lactonase and acylase from actinobacteria, a, b and c proteobacteria [9] and other unknown compounds from edible plants and fruits [16], garlic [5], Laminaria digitata [3], Ahnfeltiopsis flabelliformis [12], Coral associated bacterial extracts [27] and Bacillus sp. SS4 [17] that are known to interfere with AHL molecules mediated QS.…”

Quorum Quenching Potentials of Probiotic Enterococcus Durans Lab38 Against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

“…In addition, EA extract (100 µg/ml) has shown a maximum of 37.1±1.4% inhibition against violacein pigment production. It was reported that Cuminum cyminum methanol extract (500 µg/ml) has exhibited nearly 30% inhibition of violacein production [32]. Remarkably, 100 µg/ml of EA extract of LAB38 was sufficient to show 37% inhibition of violacein production.…”

Plant food extracts and phytochemicals: Their role as Quorum Sensing Inhibitors

“…Musthafa, Ravi, Annapoorani, Packiavathy, and Pandian (2010) demonstrated that the aqueous extract of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) fruits were able to inhibit the AHL system in C. violaceum CV026 as well as in P. aeruginosa PAO1, affecting violacein and pyocyanin pigment production, staphylolytic protease, elastase production and biofilm formation, respectively. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) also showed anti-QS activity against the biosensor strains C. violaceum CV026 and P. aeruginosa PAO1 inhibiting violacein production and swarming motility, respectively (Koh & Tham, 2011).…”

“…Jakobsen, Bragason, et al (2012) have also described a QS-inhibitory activity in the biosensor QSIS1 for thyme and rosemary extracts as well as for chervil and lemon grass extracts. Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, also known as holy basil, laurel (Laurus nobilis) and two pepper species (P. nigrum and P. longum) also exhibited anti-QS activity against a biosensor strain (C. violaceum) (Al-Hussaini & Mahasneh, 2009;Musthafa et al, 2010;Tan et al, 2013). When tested against the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa PAO1, holy basil also decreased total proteolytic activity and LasB elastase activity (Musthafa et al, 2010).…”