Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative organism that can survive under harsh conditions, and it is also an opportunistic pathogen that can produce cell-associated extracellular virulence factors. Several of these virulence factors have been demonstrated to be regulated by quorum sensing (QS). Plantain Herb has been used as antibacterial agents for many centuries in China. In this study, we analyzed Plantain Herb Extracts (PHE) at the concentration of 16 μg/mL (Group A, MIC), 8 μg/mL (Group B, 1/2 MIC) and 4 μg/mL (Group C, 1/4 MIC) for inhibition of the virulence factors production and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa PAO1. The virulence factors included pyocyanin, rhamnolipids, protease and alginate. PHE showed significant inhibition of virulence factors as compared to the control group without interfering its growth. Thus, PHE might be a potent QS inhibitor and anti-biofilm agent in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
Highlights
Pathogenic bacteria are harmful to human health
Growth assay showed that Plantain Herb Extracts (PHE) inhibited PAO1 growth at the concentration of 16 μg/mL (Fig. 1), while there was little effect on the growth curve at 8 μg/mL and 4 μg/mL
3.2 PHE decreased the production of extracellular virulence factors of P. aeruginosa Results showed a significant difference among all positive groups as compared to control (P < 0.01)
Summary
Bacterial infection has been a major problem on the medical treatment. With the introduction of natural antibiotics such as penicillin, antibiotic derivatives and synthetic antibiotics, they have opened a new era in the treatment of bacterial infections [1]. Quorum Sensing (QS) is the regulation of gene expression in response to cell density. Bacteria could produce some signaling molecules, called autoinducers (AI), that can coordinate the physiological activities as well as the expression of virulence factors in the pathogenesis [2]. QS can be both found in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Signaling molecules or AIs used by Gram-negative bacteria are known as N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), while Gram-positive bacteria utilize post-translationally modified oligopeptides as signaling molecules [3]
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