Anti-quorum sensing potential of ketoprofen and its derivatives against Pseudomonas aeruginosa: insights to in silico and in vitro studies

Research Progress on the Combination of Quorum-Sensing Inhibitors and Antibiotics against Bacterial Resistance

Bacterial virulence factors and biofilm development can be controlled by the quorum-sensing (QS) system, which is also intimately linked to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In previous studies, many researchers found that quorum-sensing inhibitors (QSIs) can affect the development of bacterial biofilms and prevent the synthesis of many virulence factors. However, QSIs alone have a limited ability to suppress bacteria. Fortunately, when QSIs are combined with antibiotics, they have a better therapeutic effect, and it has even been demonstrated that the two together have a synergistic antibacterial effect, which not only ensures bactericidal efficiency but also avoids the resistance caused by excessive use of antibiotics. In addition, some progress has been made through in vivo studies on the combination of QSIs and antibiotics. This article mainly expounds on the specific effect of QSIs combined with antibiotics on bacteria and the combined antibacterial mechanism of some QSIs and antibiotics. These studies will provide new strategies and means for the clinical treatment of bacterial infections in the future.

Diclofenac-loaded PLGA nanoparticles downregulate LasI/R quorum sensing genes in pathogenic P. aeruginosa isolates

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a biocompatible polymer that can gradually and consistently release drugs in a controlled manner. In this study, diclofenac sodium-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (DS-PLGA NPs) were produced by solvent evaporation technique and characterized using SEM, DLS, and zeta potential analyses. The antibacterial and antivirulence potential of DS-PLGA NPs against P. aeruginosa strains were examined using broth microdilution, crystal violet staining, hemolysis, and twitching quantification assays. Furthermore, the expression of the quorum sensing (QS) genes, lasI and lasR in P. aeruginosa strains after treatment with 1/2 MIC of DS-PLGA NPs was assessed using real-time PCR. SEM imaging of the synthesized NPs exhibited that the NPs have a spherical structure with a size range of 60-150 nm. The zeta potential of the NPs was - 15.2 mV, while the size of the particles in the aquatic environment was in a range of 111.5-153.8 nm. The MIC of prepared NPs against various strains of P. aeruginosa ranged from 4.5 to 9 mg/mL. Moreover, exposure of bacteria to sub-MIC of DS-PLGA NPs significantly down-regulated the expression of the lasI and lasR genes to 0.51- and 0.75-fold, respectively. Further, prepared NPs efficiently reduced the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa strains by 9-27%, compared with the controls. Besides, DS-PLGA NPs showed considerable attenuation in bacterial hemolytic activity by 32-88% and twitching motility by 0-32.3%, compared with untreated cells. Overall, the present work exhibited the anti-QS activity of DS-PLGA NPs, which could be a safe and useful approach for treating P. aeruginosa infections.

Ketoprofen attenuates Las/Rhl quorum-sensing (QS) systems of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: molecular and docking studies

BACKGROUND

Quorum sensing (QS) is the leading cause of persistent infections and recalcitrance to antibiotic treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hence, QS inhibitors are promising agents for the potential treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Herein, the reducing effect of ketoprofen on virulence factors production including protease, hemolysin, pyocyanin, hydrogen cyanide, biofilm, and motility of P. aeruginosa strains was investigated. Furthermore, the quorum quenching activity of ketoprofen at the molecular level was examined by real-time PCR assessment. Our results showed that ketoprofen significantly attenuates virulence factors and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa strains. Moreover, ketoprofen down-regulated the expression of lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR genes, by 35-47, 22-48, 34-67, and 43-56%, respectively. As well, molecular docking simulation showed a high binding affinity of ketoprofen with QS regulatory proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Consequently, this study confirmed the quorum quenching activity of ketoprofen, which could be employed as a useful agent for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.

Computer-aided analysis for identification of novel analogues of ketoprofen based on molecular docking, ADMET, drug-likeness and DFT studies for the treatment of inflammation

Computer-based drug design is increasingly used in strategies for discovering new molecules for therapeutic purposes. The targeted drug is ketoprofen (KTP), which belongs to the family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are widely used for the treatment of pain, fever, inflammation and certain types of cancers. In an attempt to rationalize the search for 72 new potential anti-inflammatory compounds on the COX-2 enzyme, we carried out an in silico protocol that successfully combines molecular docking towards COX-2 receptor (5F1A), ADMET pharmacokinetic parameters, drug-likeness rules and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). It was found that six of the compounds analyzed satisfy with the associated values to physico-chemical properties as key evaluation parameters for the drug-likeness and demonstrate a hydrophobic character which makes their solubility in aqueous media difficult and easy in lipids. All the compounds presented good ADMET profile and they showed an interaction with the amino acids responsible for anti-inflammatory activity of the COX-2 isoenzyme. The calculation of the MEP of the six analogues reveals new preferential sites involving the formation of new bonds. Consequently, this result allowed us to understand the origin of the potential increase in the anti-inflammatory activity of the candidates. Finally, it was obtained that six compounds have a binding mode, binding energy, and stability in the active site of COX-2 like the reference drug ketoprofen, suggesting that these compounds could become a powerful candidate in the inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Ketoprofen as an emerging contaminant: occurrence, ecotoxicity and (bio)removal

Ketoprofen, a bicyclic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used in human and veterinary medicine, has recently been cited as an environmental contaminant that raises concerns for ecological well-being. It poses a growing threat due to its racemic mixture, enantiomers, and transformation products, which have ecotoxicological effects on various organisms, including invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, and microorganisms. Furthermore, ketoprofen is bioaccumulated and biomagnified throughout the food chain, threatening the ecosystem function. Surprisingly, despite these concerns, ketoprofen is not currently considered a priority substance. While targeted eco-pharmacovigilance for ketoprofen has been proposed, data on ketoprofen as a pharmaceutical contaminant are limited and incomplete. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent findings (from 2017 to March 2023) regarding the global distribution of ketoprofen in the environment, its ecotoxicity towards aquatic animals and plants, and available removal methods. Special emphasis is placed on understanding how ketoprofen affects microorganisms that play a pivotal role in Earth's ecosystems. The review broadly covers various approaches to ketoprofen biodegradation, including whole-cell fungal and bacterial systems as well as enzyme biocatalysts. Additionally, it explores the potential of adsorption by algae and phytoremediation for removing ketoprofen. This review will be of interest to a wide range of readers, including ecologists, microbiologists, policymakers, and those concerned about pharmaceutical pollution.

Ketoprofen, Piroxicam and Indomethacin Suppressed Quorum Sensing and Virulence Factors in Acinetobacter baumannii

AIM

Quorum sensing (QS) inhibition is a promising strategy to suppress bacterial virulence, and control infection caused by Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This study explores the quorum sensing inhibiting activity of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in Acinetobacter baumannii.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ketoprofen, piroxicam, and indomethacin revealed QS inhibition via elimination of violacein production of the reporter strain Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 without affecting bacterial growth. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ketoprofen, piroxicam, and indomethacin was determined against A. baumannii strains ATCC 17978, ATCC 19606, A1, A11, and A27 by the microbroth dilution method. The MICs of ketoprofen against tested isolates were 3.12-6.25 mg mL^-1 , piroxicam MICs were 1.25-2.5 mg mL^-1 , and indomethacin MICs were 3.12-12.5 mg mL^-1 . Those compounds significantly inhibited QS-associated virulence factors such as biofilm formation, and surface motility, as well as, significantly increased bacterial tolerance to oxidative stress without affecting bacterial growth. On the molecular level, the three compounds significantly inhibited the transcription of QS regulatory genes abaI/abaR, and biofilm regulated genes cusD, and pgaB. Molecular docking analysis revealed potent binding affinity of the three compounds with AbaI via hydrogen and/or hydrophobic bonds.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that NSAIDs, ketoprofen, piroxicam, and indomethacin, could be potential inhibitors of the QS and could suppress the QS-related virulence factors of A. baumannii.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT

Ketoprofen, piroxicam, and indomethacin could provide promising implications and strategies for combating the virulence, and pathogenesis of A. baumannii.