Inhibition of quorum sensing-controlled virulence factor production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by South Florida plant extracts

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2008 Jan;52(1):198-203. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00612-07. Epub 2007 Oct 15.

Abstract

Quorum sensing (QS) is a key regulator of virulence and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other medically relevant bacteria. Aqueous extracts of six plants, Conocarpus erectus, Chamaesyce hypericifolia, Callistemon viminalis, Bucida buceras, Tetrazygia bicolor, and Quercus virginiana, were examined in this study for their effects on P. aeruginosa virulence factors and the QS system. C. erectus, B. buceras, and C. viminalis caused a significant inhibition of LasA protease, LasB elastase, pyoverdin production, and biofilm formation. Additionally, each plant presented a distinct effect profile on the las and rhl QS genes and their respective signaling molecules, suggesting that different mechanisms are responsible for efficacy. Extracts of all plants caused the inhibition of QS genes and QS-controlled factors, with marginal effects on bacterial growth, suggesting that the quorum-quenching mechanisms are unrelated to static or cidal effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 4-Butyrolactone / analogs & derivatives
  • 4-Butyrolactone / metabolism
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Florida
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / growth & development
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / pathogenicity*
  • Quorum Sensing / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Virulence Factors / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Virulence Factors
  • homoserine lactone
  • 4-Butyrolactone