Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of chromone derivatives against uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Abstract

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a urinary tract pathogen responsible for most nosocomial urinary tract infections and can cause severe conditions like acute cystitis of the bladder or pyelonephritis. UPEC harbors a host of virulence factors like curli, hemolysin, siderophore, and motility factors and can form biofilm-like communities and quiescent reservoirs that aid its survival. This study was performed to investigate the antibiofilm, antimicrobial, and antivirulence potentials of three chromone derivatives, namely, 6-bromo 3-formylchromone, 6-chloro 3-formylchromone, and 3-formyl 6-isopropylchromone. These chromones had MICs against UPEC of 20, 20, and 50 µg/ml, respectively, inhibited biofilm formation by 72–96% at 20 µg/ml, and inhibited UPEC-associated virulence factors, that is, hemolysis, motility, curli, siderophore production, indole production, quiescent colony formation, and cell surface hydrophobicity. Gene expression analysis indicated these three derivatives downregulated virulence genes associated with toxins, biofilm production, and stress regulation and suggested they might target two-component UvrY response regulator. 3D-QSAR analysis showed that substitutions at the third and sixth positions of the chromone scaffold favor antimicrobial activity against UPEC. Furthermore, ADME profiles and C. elegans cytotoxicity assays indicated that these chromone derivatives are potent, safe drug candidates.