Therapeutic potential activity of quercetin complexes against Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract

This study investigates quercetin complexes as potential synergistic agents against the important respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Six quercetin complexes (QCX1–6) were synthesized by reacting quercetin with various metal salts and boronic acids and characterized using FTIR spectroscopy. Their antibacterial activity alone and in synergism with antibiotics was evaluated against S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 using disc diffusion screening, broth microdilution MIC determination, and checkerboard assays. Complexes QCX-3 and QCX-4 demonstrated synergy when combined with levofloxacin via fractional inhibitory concentration indices ≤ 0.5 as confirmed by time-kill kinetics. Molecular docking elucidated interactions of these combinations with virulence enzymes sortase A and sialidase. A biofilm inhibition assay found the synergistic combinations more potently reduced biofilm formation versus monotherapy. Additionally, gene–gene interaction networks, biological activity predictions and in-silico toxicity profiling provided insights into potential mechanisms of action and safety.