Elucidating the effect of anti-biofilm activity of bioactive compounds extracted from plants

Abstract

Biofilms are dense population of sessile bacterial cells that adhere to the surface, forming a matrix composed of exopolysaccharide, proteins and DNA. This matrix is termed as extracellular polymeric substance and provides stability to the cells adhering to it to form biofilms. It also provides nutrients and thus helps in the pathogenesis of biofilm-associated infections and resistance. Biofilms promote bacterial persistence by resisting host immune responses and antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are rendered ineffective when biofilms form due to their relative impermeability, the variable physiological status of microorganisms, and subpopulations of persistent strains. Another factor that results in the development of antibiotic resistance within the biofilm is the adaptations that take place within the genes present in the cells dwelling within the biofilm. These adaptations decrease the sensitivity of the bacterial cells toward the antibiotics and develop resistance. Hence, an alternative antimicrobial strategy of making use of plant-based products has been observed to be useful to cure various ailments, as compared to conventional therapy. In this review, we have listed the various biofilm-forming bacteria and the bioactive compounds being produced from the aerial parts of plants having antibiofilm activity and evaluated them against different biofilm-producing bacterial strains.