In vitro and in vivo effect of 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol as an antibiofilm agent against quorum sensing mediated biofilm formation of Vibrio spp

Cytotoxicity and microbiological behavior of universal resin composite cements

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the cytotoxicity on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) and Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans) biofilm formation on universal resin composite cements (UCs).

METHODS

Three UCs (RelyX Universal, 3 M Oral Care - RXU; Panavia SA Cement Universal, Kuraray Noritake - PSAU; SoloCem, Coltene - SCM) and one 'gold-standard' multi-step cement (Panavia V5, Kuraray Noritake - PV5) were used following two polymerization protocols (light-cured - LC; self-cured - SC). Cytotoxicity (MTT) tests were performed after 1, 3 and 7 days of direct contact. Carboxy-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate was used to detect the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) expression was analyzed by IL-6 proquantum high sensitivity immunoassay. S. mutans biofilms were grown on UCs samples in a bioreactor for 24 h, then adherent viable biomass was assessed using MTT assay. For microbiological procedures, half of UCs samples underwent accelerated aging. Data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

The highest cytotoxicity was observed for PSAU SC, RXU SC, and PV5 SC at day 1, then for SC RXU after 3 days, and SC PSAU, LC PV5 and SCM after 1-week (p < 0.05). There was no increase in IL-6 expression after 1 day, while it increased depending on the group at 3 and 7 days. The highest ROS expression after 12 h was recorded for PSAU SC, PV5 SC and PV5 LC. Biofilm formation was as follows: RXU > > PSAU = PV5 > SCM, while light-curing systematically decreased biofilm formation (≈-33 %). Aging leveled out differences between UCs and between polymerization protocols.

SIGNIFICANCE

The choice of cement brand, rather than category, and polymerization protocol influence cell viability and microbiological behavior. Light-curing is beneficial for reducing the harmful pulpal effect that UCs may possess.

Diospyros rhodocalyx Kurz induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis via BAX, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 pathways in LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the causes of death in men worldwide. Although treatment strategies have been developed, the recurrence of the disease and consequential side effects remain an essential concern. Diospyros rhodocalyx Kurz, a traditional Thai medicine, exhibits diverse therapeutic properties, including anti-cancer activity. However, its anti-cancer activity against prostate cancer has not been thoroughly explored. This study aims to evaluate the anti-cancer activity and underlying mechanisms of the ethyl acetate extract of D. rhodocalyx Kurz (EADR) related to apoptosis induction in the LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line.

Methods

Ethyl acetate was employed to extract the dried bark of D. rhodocalyx Kurz. The cytotoxicity of EADR on both LNCaP and WPMY-1 cells (normal human prostatic myofibroblast cell line) was evaluated using MTS assay. The effect of EADR on the cell cycle, apoptosis induction, and alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed by the staining with propidium iodide (PI), Annexin V-FITC/PI, and JC-1 dye, respectively. Subsequent analysis was conducted using flow cytometry. The expression of cleaved caspase-3, BAX, and Bcl-2 was examined by Western blotting. The phytochemical profiling of the EADR was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Results

EADR exhibited a dose-dependent manner cytotoxic effect on LNCaP cells, with IC50 values of 15.43 and 12.35 µg/mL after 24 and 48 h, respectively. Although it also exhibited a cytotoxic effect on WPMY-1 cells, the effect was comparatively lower, with the IC50 values of 34.61 and 19.93 µg/mL after 24 and 48 h of exposure, respectively. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that EADR did not induce cell cycle arrest in either LNCaP or WPMY-1 cells. However, it significantly increased the sub-G1 population in LNCaP cells, indicating a potential induction of apoptosis. The Annexin V-FITC/PI staining indicated that EADR significantly induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells. Subsequent investigation into the underlying mechanism of EADR-induced apoptosis revealed a reduction in MMP as evidenced by JC-1 staining. Moreover, Western blotting demonstrated that EADR treatment resulted in the upregulation of BAX, downregulation of BCL-2, and elevation of caspase-3 cleavage in LNCaP cells. Notably, the epilupeol was a prominent compound in EADR as identified by GC-MS.

Conclusion

The EADR exhibits anti-cancer activity against the LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line by inducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Our findings suggest that EADR promotes apoptosis by upregulating pro-apoptotic BAX, whereas downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 results in the reduction of MMP and the activation of caspase-3. Of particular interest is the presence of epilupeol, a major compound identified in EADR, which may hold promise as a candidate for the development of therapeutic agents for prostate cancer.

Effect of a phthalate derivative purified from Bacillus zhangzhouensis SK4 on quorum sensing regulated virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes life-threatening diseases and is resistant to almost all conventional antibiotics. The quorum sensing (QS) system of P. aeruginosa contributes to many pathogenic factors some of which are pigment production, motility, and biofilm. The disruption of quorum sensing system may be an impactful strategy to deal with infections. The present study investigates the anti-quorum sensing property of a bioactive molecule extracted from marine epibiotic bacteria present on the surface of seaweeds. Among all the isolates tested against monitor strain Chromobacterium violaceum (MTCC 2656), the one with the highest activity was identified as Bacillus zhangzhouensis SK4. The culture supernatant was extracted with chloroform which was then partially purified by TLC and column chromatography. The probable anti-QS compound was identified as 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-methylpropyl ester) by GC-MS and NMR analysis. The treatment of P. aeruginosa MCC 3457 with the lead compound resulted in the reduced production of pyocyanin, rhamnolipids, exopolysaccharide, biofilm, and motility. The observations of light and scanning electron microscopy also supported the biofilm inhibition. The lead compound showed synergism with the meropenem antibiotic and significantly reduced MIC. The molecular docking and pharmacokinetics study predicted 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-methylpropyl ester), a phthalate derivative as a good drug candidate. The molecular dynamics study was also performed to check the stability of the lead compound and LasR complex. Further, lead compounds did not exhibit any cytotoxicity when tested on human embryonic kidney cells. As per our knowledge, this is the first report on the anti-QS activity of B. zhangzhouensis SK4, indicating that epibiotic bacteria can be a possible source of novel compounds to deal with the multidrug resistance phenomenon.

Quenching and quorum sensing in bacterial bio-films

Quorum sensing (QS) is the ability of bacteria to monitor their population density and adjust gene expression accordingly. QS-regulated processes include host-microbe interactions, horizontal gene transfer, and multicellular behaviours (such as the growth and development of biofilm). The creation, transfer, and perception of bacterial chemicals known as autoinducers or QS signals are necessary for QS signalling (e.g. N-acylhomoserine lactones). Quorum quenching (QQ), another name for the disruption of QS signalling, comprises a wide range of events and mechanisms that are described and analysed in this study. In order to better comprehend the targets of the QQ phenomena that organisms have naturally developed and are currently being actively researched from practical perspectives, we first surveyed the diversity of QS-signals and QS-associated responses. Next, the mechanisms, molecular players, and targets related to QS interference are discussed, with a focus on natural QQ enzymes and compounds that function as QS inhibitors. To illustrate the processes and biological functions of QS inhibition in microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions, a few QQ paradigms are described in detail. Finally, certain QQ techniques are offered as potential instruments in a variety of industries, including agriculture, medical, aquaculture, crop production, and anti-biofouling areas.

Targeted phytogenic compounds against Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilms

As one of main culprit of seafood-associated human illness, Vibrio parahaemolyticus can readily accumulate on biotic or abiotic surfaces to form biofilms in the seafood processing environment. Biofilm formation on various surfaces can provide a protective barrier for viable bacterial cells that are resistant to most traditional bacteriostatic measures. This underscores the necessity and urgency of developing effective alternative strategies to control V. parahaemolyticus biofilms. Plants have always provided an extensive and infinite source of biologically active compounds for "green" antibiofilm agents. This review summarizes recent developments in promising multitargeted phytogenic compounds against V. parahaemolyticus biofilms. This review provides valuable insights into potential research targets that can be pursued further to identify potent natural antibiofilm agents in the food industry.

Isolation, Antimicrobial Effect and Metabolite Analysis of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ZJLMBA1908 against Citrus Canker Caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri

Citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri is a devastating bacterial disease with severe implications for the citrus industry. Microorganisms possessing biocontrol capabilities against X. citri subsp. citri offer a highly promising strategy for healthy citrus management. In the present study, a broad-spectrum antagonist strain ZJLMBA1908 with potent antibacterial activity against X. citri subsp. citri was isolated from symptomatic lemon leaves, and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Cell-free supernatant (CFS) of strain ZJLMBA1908 also exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activity, especially suppressing the growth of X. citri subsp. citri and Nigrospora oryzae, with inhibition rates of 27.71% and 63.75%, respectively. The antibacterial crude extract (CE) derived from the CFS displayed effective activity against X. citri subsp. citri. A preventive treatment using the CE significantly reduced the severity and incidence of citrus canker in a highly susceptible citrus host. Additionally, the CE maintained activity in the presence of protease and under a wide range of temperature and pH treatments. Applying high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate and purify the CE resulted in the discovery of one highly potent anti-X. citri subsp. citri subfraction, namely CE3, which could completely inhibit the growth of X. citri subsp. citri. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) analysis revealed that CE3 mainly consisted of palmitic acid, surfactin C15, phytosphingosine and dihydrosphingosine. Taken together, the results contribute to the possible biocontrol mechanisms of B. amyloliquefaciens ZJLMBA1908, as well as providing a promising new candidate strain as a biological control agent for controlling citrus canker.

Essential oils from Plumbago europaea L. aerial parts (leaves, flowers): GC-MS analyses and literature biological properties

Plumbago europaea L. belongs to the family Plumbaginaceae, which has many medicinal and nutritional applications. It is among the significant medicinal herbs used widely in folk medicine in Syria to treat skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. There are no previous studies of the aerial parts' essential oils of this plant. So, herein we report on determining the chemical composition of essential oils extracted from the aerial parts of P. europaea L., which were collected from a mountainous area in Latakia Province, Syria, by utilising the GC-MS technique. The major compounds identified in the flower's essential oils were: plumbagin (32.4%), hexadecanoic acid (13.79%), heneicosane (9.03%) and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol (8.40%). While in the leaves' essential oils were phytol (17.97%), dibutyl phthalate (15.45%), heneicosane (6.91%) and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (6.72%). In addition, according to the published literature, most of the identified compounds have been reported to exhibit significant biological activities.

Effect of sublethal dose of chloramphenicol on biofilm formation and virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates are generally very sensitive to chloramphenicol. However, it is usually necessary to transfer a plasmid carrying a chloramphenicol resistance gene into V. parahaemolyticus to investigate the function of a specific gene, and the effects of chloramphenicol on bacterial physiology have not been investigated. In this work, the effects of sublethal dose of chloramphenicol on V. parahaemolyticus were investigated by combined utilization of various phenotypic assays and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The results showed that the growth rate, biofilm formation capcity, c-di-GMP synthesis, motility, cytoxicity and adherence activity of V. parahaemolyticus were remarkably downregulated by the sublethal dose of chloramphenicol. The RNA-seq data revealed that the expression levels of 650 genes were significantly differentially expressed in the response to chloramphenicol stress, including antibiotic resistance genes, major virulence genes, biofilm-associated genes and putative regulatory genes. Majority of genes involved in the synthesis of polar flagellum, exopolysaccharide (EPS), mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin type IV pilus (MSHA), type III secretion systems (T3SS1 and T3SS2) and type VI secretion system 2 (T6SS2) were downregulated by the sublethal dose of chloramphenicol. Five putative c-di-GMP metabolism genes were significantly differentially expressed, which may be the reason for the decrease in intracellular c-di-GMP levels in the response of chloramphenicol stress. In addition, 23 genes encoding putative regulators were also significantly differentially expressed, suggesting that these regulators may be involved in the resistance of V. parahaemolyticus to chloramphenicol stress. This work helps us to understand how chloramphenicol effect on the physiology of V. parahaemolyticus.

Anti-infective potential of plant-derived quorum sensing inhibitors against multi-drug resistant human and aquatic bacterial pathogens

The present study intended to decipher the anti-infective potential of bioactive phytocompounds, such as rosmarinic acid, morin, naringin, chlorogenic acid, and mangiferin, against aquatic and human bacterial pathogens using Artemia spp. nauplii and Caenorhabditis elegans as animal models, respectively. Initially, the test compounds were screened against the QS traits in Vibrio spp., such as bioluminescence production and biofilm formation. The test compounds effectively inhibited the bioluminescence in V. harveyi. Further, the confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis revealed that these natural compounds could efficiently reduce the clumping morphology, a characteristic biofilm formation in Vibrio spp., without inhibiting bacterial growth. The results of in vivo analysis showed a significant increase in the survival of Artemia spp. nauplii infected with Vibrio spp. upon exposure to these compounds. Moreover, the compounds used in this study were already proven and reported for their quorum sensing inhibitory efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hence, the anti-infective efficacy of these compounds against P. aeruginosa (PAO1) and its clinical isolates (AS1 and AS2) was studied using C. elegans as a live animal model system. The results of time-killing assay deciphered that rosmarinic acid and naringin are being the most effective ones in rescuing the animals from P. aeruginosa infection followed by morin, mangiferin, and chlorogenic acid. Further, the toxicity results revealed that these compounds did not show any lethal effect on C. elegans and Artemia spp. nauplii at the tested concentrations. In conclusion, the phytochemicals used in this study were effective in controlling the QS-regulated virulence traits in Vibrio spp. and P. aeruginosa infections in Artemia spp. nauplii and C. elegans animal model systems, respectively.

The action of phytochemicals in biofilm control

Covering: 2009 to 2021Antimicrobial resistance is now rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world, threatening the treatment of an ever-increasing range of infectious diseases. This has becoming a serious public health problem, especially due to the emergence of multidrug-resistance among clinically important bacterial species and their ability to form biofilms. In addition, current anti-infective therapies have low efficacy in the treatment of biofilm-related infections, leading to recurrence, chronicity, and increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to search for innovative strategies/antibacterial agents capable of overcoming the limitations of conventional antibiotics. Natural compounds, in particular those obtained from plants, have been exhibiting promising properties in this field. Plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals) can act as antibiofilm agents through different mechanisms of action from the available antibiotics (inhibition of quorum-sensing, motility, adhesion, and reactive oxygen species production, among others). The combination of different phytochemicals and antibiotics have revealed synergistic or additive effects in biofilm control. This review aims to bring together the most relevant reports on the antibiofilm properties of phytochemicals, as well as insights into their structure and mechanistic action against bacterial pathogens, spanning December 2008 to December 2021.

Hesperidin methyl chalcone, a citrus flavonoid, inhibits Aeromonas hydrophila infection mediated by quorum sensing

Plant-derived phytocompounds are effective in treating a variety of ailments and disorders, the most common of which are bacterial infections in humans, which are a major public health concern. Flavonoids, one of the groups of phytocompounds, are known to have significant antimicrobial and anti-infective properties. Hence, the current study investigates the efficacy of the citrus flavonoid hesperidin methylchalcone (HMC) in addressing this major issue. The results of this study indicate that the anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) action against Aeromonas hydrophila infections is exhibited with a decrease in biofilm development and virulence factors production through in vitro and in silico analyses. In addition, the qPCR findings indicate that HMC has antivirulence action on A. hydrophila by reducing the expression of QS-related virulence genes, including ahyR, ahyB, ahh1, aerA, and lip. Interestingly, HMC significantly rescued the A. hydrophila-infected zebrafish by reducing the internal colonization, demonstrating the in vivo anti-infective potential of HMC against A. hydrophila infection. Based on these results, this study recommends that HMC could be employed as a possible therapeutic agent to treat A. hydrophila-related infections in humans.

The implications of quorum sensing inhibition in bacterial antibiotic resistance- with a special focus on aquaculture

The aquaculture industry is an expanding and demanding industry and due to an increase in urbanization, with rise in income of developing countries population, it offers to provide a sustainable food supply. However, the industry is facing a number of challenges, out of which few needs to be tackled immediately to maximise the productivity. An upcoming problem is the emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens due to the unchecked use of antibiotics in aquaculture and human clinical practices. A wide variety of aquatic pathogens such as Edwardsiella, Vibrio, and Aeromonas spp. use quorum sensing (QS) systems, a regulatory process involving cell communication via signalling molecules for the collective function of pathogens which regulates the genes expression including virulent genes. Quorum sensing results in bacterial biofilms formation, which leads to their reduced susceptibility towards antimicrobial agents. The usage of quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) has been proposed as an attractive strategy to tackle this problem. Due to the modulation of virulence genes expression, QSIs can be used as novel and viable approach to overcome antibiotic resistance in aquaculture. In this review, we direct our attention to the quorum sensing phenomenon and its viability as a target pathway for tackling the ever-growing problem of antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture. This review also provides a concise compilation of the currently available QSIs and investigates possible natural sources for quorum quenching.

Sigma factor RpoS positively affects the spoilage activity of Shewanella baltica and negatively regulates its adhesion effect

Shewanella baltica is the dominant bacterium that causes spoilage of seafood. RpoS is an alternative sigma factor regulating stress adaptation in many bacteria. However, the detailed regulatory mechanism of RpoS in S. baltica remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the regulatory function of RpoS on spoilage activity and adhesion ability in S. baltica. Results revealed that RpoS had no effect on the growth of S. baltica, but positively regulated the spoilage potential of S. baltica accompanied by a slower decline of total volatile basic nitrogen, lightness, and the sensory score of fish fillets inoculated with rpoS mutant. RpoS negatively regulated the adhesion ability, which was manifested in that the bacterial number of rpoS mutant adhered to stainless steel coupon was higher than that of the S. baltica in the early stage, and the biofilm formed on glass slide by rpoS mutant was thicker and tighter compared with S. baltica. Transcriptomic analysis showed that a total of 397 differentially expressed genes were regulated by RpoS. These genes were mainly enrichment in flagellar assembly, fatty acid metabolism/degradation, and RNA degradation pathways, which were associated with motility, biofilm formation and cold adaptation. This study demonstrated that RpoS is a primary regulator involved in flagellar assembly mediated biofilm formation and cold adaptation-related spoilage activity of S. baltica. Our research will provide significant insights into the control of microbiological spoilage in seafood.

An Innovative, Green Cascade Protocol for Grape Stalk Valorization with Process Intensification Technologies

Valorization of agri-food residues to produce bio-based platform chemicals will enhance the transition to the bio-economy era. To this end, a sustainable process has been developed for the overall valorization of grape stalks (GS) according to a circular approach, starting from the lignin fraction to further deal with the cellulose-rich residue. This non-conventional protocol fully adheres to green chemistry principles, exploiting the so-called enabling technologies—mainly ultrasound and microwaves—for energy-saving innovative processes. Firstly, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE, 40 kHz, 200 W) demonstrated to be an excellent technique for GS delignification combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs). Delignification enables isolation of the pertinent lignin framework and the potential to obtain a polyphenol-rich liquid fraction, focusing on the valorization of GS as source of bioactive compounds (BACs). Among the NaDESs employed, the combination of choline chloride (ChCl) and levulinic acid (LevA) (ChLevA) presented noteworthy results, enabling a delignification higher than 70%. LevA is one of the top-value biobased platform chemicals. In this work, a flash microwave (MW)-assisted process was subsequently applied to the cellulose-rich fraction remained after delignification, yielding 85% LevA. The regeneration of this starting compound to produce ChLevA can lead to a further biomass delignification cycle, thus developing a new cascade protocol for a full valorization of GS.

Development and Research Progress of Anti-Drug Resistant Bacteria Drugs

Bacterial resistance has become increasingly serious because of the widespread use and abuse of antibiotics. In particular, the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has posed a serious threat to human public health and attracted the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the governments of various countries. Therefore, the establishment of measures against bacterial resistance and the discovery of new antibacterial drugs are increasingly urgent to better contain the emergence of bacterial resistance and provide a reference for the development of new antibacterial drugs. In this review, we discuss some antibiotic drugs that have been approved for clinical use and a partial summary of the meaningful research results of anti-drug resistant bacterial drugs in different fields, including the antibiotic drugs approved by the FDA from 2015 to 2020, the potential drugs against drug-resistant bacteria, the new molecules synthesized by chemical modification, combination therapy, drug repurposing, immunotherapy and other therapies.

Tocopherol and phytol possess anti-quorum sensing mediated anti-infective behavior against Vibrio campbellii in aquaculture: An in vitro and in vivo study

Phytocompounds have long been well recognized in medicine and pharmacy. The natural compounds are frequently utilized as the fundamental resource in the development of novel therapeutic agents to treat bacterial infections. The rapid emergence of bacterial infections, particularly caused by Vibrio species, is seen as a serious concern for the development of aquaculture industries, resulting in substantial economic losses throughout the world. Notably, the presence of Vibrio campbellii in aquatic environments will be extremely problematic, leading to significant mortality in aquatic organisms. As a result, novel therapeutic agents are desperately needed to treat such diseases. This is the first research to demonstrate that plant-derived active compounds, tocopherol and phytol, are effective against V. campbellii infection in tomato clownfish. The findings showed that tocopherol and phytol significantly decreased the production of biofilm and virulence factors such as hemolysin, protease, lipase, hydrophobic index, and swimming motility in V. campbellii, without influencing the bacterial growth. In vivo experiments with tomato clownfish also proved that these phytocompound treatments significantly increased the survival rates of infected fishes by hindering the intestinal colonization of V. campbellii in tomato clownfish. Further, the disease protection efficacy against the pathognomonic sign of V. campbellii-infection was verified by histopathological investigation of the gills, gut, and kidney. Altogether, the results suggest that tocopherol and phytol could be promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of V. campbellii infections in aquaculture.

Antibiofilm and antivirulence efficacy of myrtenol enhances the antibiotic susceptibility of Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) is rising as a human pathogen of critical priority worldwide as it is the leading cause of chronic opportunistic infections in healthcare settings and the condition is ineradicable with antibiotic therapy. AB possesses the ability to form biofilm on abiotic as well as biotic surfaces which plays a major role in its pathogenesis and resistance in clinical settings. Hence, the demand for an alternative therapy to combat the biofilm-associated infections is increasing. The present study explored the antibiofilm potential of myrtenol, a bicyclic monoterpene present in various plants against reference and clinical strains of AB. Myrtenol (200 μg/mL) exhibited a strong antibiofilm activity without exerting any harmful effect on growth and metabolic viability of AB strains. Microscopic analyses confirmed the reduction in the biofilm thickness and surface coverage upon myrtenol treatment. Especially, myrtenol was found to be effective in disrupting the mature biofilms of tested AB strains. Furthermore, myrtenol inhibited the biofilm-associated virulence factors of AB strains such as extracellular polysaccharide, cell surface hydrophobicity, oxidant resistance, swarming and twitching motility. Transcriptional analysis unveiled the suppression of the biofilm-associated genes such as bfmR, csuA/B, bap, ompA, pgaA, pgaC, and katE by myrtenol. Notably, myrtenol improved the susceptibility of AB strains towards conventional antibiotics such as amikacin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and trimethoprim. Thus, the present study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of myrtenol against biofilm-associated infections of AB.

Molecular evaluation of quorum quenching potential of vanillic acid against Yersinia enterocolitica through transcriptomic and in silico analysis

Introduction. Yersinia enterocolitica is one of the leading food-borne entero-pathogens causing various illnesses ranging from gastroenteritis to systemic infections. Quorum sensing (QS) is one of the prime mechanisms that control the virulence in Y. enterocolitica .

Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Vanillic acid inhibits the quorum sensing and other virulence factors related to Y. enterocolitica . It has been evaluated by transcriptomic and Insilico analysis. Therefore, it can be a prospective agent to develop a therapeutic combination against Y. enterocolitica .

Aim. The present study is focused on screening natural anti-quorum-sensing agents against Y. enterocolitica . The effect of selected active principle on various virulence factors was evaluated.

Methodology. In total, 12 phytochemicals were screened by swarming assay. MATH assay, EPS and surfactant production assay, SEM analysis, antibiotic and blood sensitivity assay were performed to demonstrate the anti-virulence activity. Further, RNA sequencing and molecular docking studies were carried out to substantiate the anti-QS activity.

Results. Vanillic acid (VA) has exhibited significant motility inhibition, thus indicating the anti-QS activity with MQIC of 400 µg ml−1 without altering the cell viability. It has also inhibited the violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472, which further confirms the anti-QS activity. VA has inhibited 16 % of cell-surface hydrophobicity (CSH), 52 % of EPS production and 60 % of surfactant production. Moreover, it has increased the sensitivity of Y. enterocolitica towards antibiotics. It has also made the cells upto 91 % more vulnerable towards human immune cells. The transcriptomic analysis by RNA sequencing revealed the down regulation of genes related to motility, virulence, chemotaxis, siderophores and drug resistance. VA treatment has also positively regulated the expression of several stress response genes. In furtherance, the anti-QS potential of VA has been validated with QS regulatory protein YenR by in silico molecular simulation and docking study.

Conclusion. The present study is possibly the first attempt to demonstrate the anti-QS and anti-pathogenic potential of VA against Y. enterocolitica by transcriptomic and in silico analysis. It also deciphers that VA can be a promising lead to develop biopreservative and therapeutic regimens to treat Y. enterocolitica infections.

Comparative proteomics reveals stress responses of Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilm on different surfaces: Internal adaptation and external adjustment

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a kind of gram-negative marine pathogen, which usually adheres to stainless steel (SS), glass (GS) and other abiotic surfaces in aquaculture and food processing in the form of biofilm and causes the spread of gastrointestinal illness. However, the deeply survival adaptation mechanism of V. parahaemolyticus biofilm cells on these contact surface remained unclear. Here, proteomics was used to investigated the physiological response of the V. parahaemolyticus biofilms cells to different abiotic surfaces (SS, GS and polystyrene (PS)). In addition, the effect of contact materials on the physical-chemical properties of biofilms are also characterized. Results showed that the expression of proteins of biofilm cells established on the SS surface were mainly related to the alleviation of metal ion stress and toxicity. The up-regulated proteins in the biofilm cells formed on the GS surface were mainly involved in the biological processes of sugar uptake, protein synthesis and bacterial chemotaxis. Meanwhile, the significantly expressed proteins in the biofilm cells formed on the PS surface were mainly involved in the cellular physiological activity of aromatic compound metabolism, osmotic stress and nutrient transport. All functional proteins mentioned above were closely related to the interaction characteristics of the contact surface and biofilm. This study provided an in-depth comparison of V. parahaemolyticus biofilm formation on these three abiotic surfaces, and presented a model in first time for the adaptation behavior of biofilm cells on different surfaces as affected by metal ion stress, nutrition, osmotic stress, and sugar utilization, which could facilitate an efficient control strategy for biofilm formation in industrial field.

Motility of Vibrio spp.: regulation and controlling strategies

Flagellar motility in bacteria is a highly regulated and complex cellular process that requires high energy investment for movement and host colonization. Motility plays an important role in the lifestyle of Vibrio spp. in the aquatic environment and during host colonization. Flagellar motility in vibrios is associated with several cellular processes, such as movement, colonization, adhesion, biofilm formation, and virulence. The transcription of all flagella-related genes occurs hierarchically and is regulated positively or negatively by several transcription factors and regulatory proteins. The flagellar regulatory hierarchy is well studied in Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Here, we compared the regulatory cascade and molecules involved in the flagellar motility of V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus in detail. The evolutionary relatedness of the master regulator of the polar and lateral flagella in different Vibrio species is also discussed. Although they can form symbiotic associations of some Vibrio species with humans and aquatic organisms can be harmed by several species of Vibrio as a result of surface contact, characterized by flagellar movement. Thus, targeting flagellar motility in pathogenic Vibrio species is considered a promising approach to control Vibrio infections. This approach, along with the strategies for controlling flagellar motility in different species of Vibrio using naturally derived and chemically synthesized compounds, is discussed in this review. KEY POINTS: • Vibrio species are ubiquitous and distributed across the aquatic environments. • The flagellar motility is responsible for the chemotactic movement and initial colonization to the host. • The transition from the motile into the biofilm stage is one of the crucial events in the infection. • Several signaling pathways are involved in the motility and formation of biofilm. • Attenuation of motility by naturally derived or chemically synthesized compounds could be a potential treatment for preventing Vibrio biofilm-associated infections.

Current advances in Vibrio harveyi quorum sensing as drug discovery targets

Vibrio harveyi is a marine bacterial pathogen which infects a wide range of marine organisms and results in severe loss. Antibiotics have been used for prophylaxis and treatment of V. harveyi infection. However, antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat to both human and animals. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents with new modes of action. In V. harveyi, many virulence factors production and bioluminescence formation depend on its quorum sensing (QS) network. Therefore, the QS system has been widely investigated as an effective potential target for the treatment of V. harveyi infection. This perspective focuses on the quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) of V. harveyi QS systems (LuxM/N, LuxS/PQ, and CqsA/S) and evaluates medicinal chemistry strategies.

Characterization of co-culture of Aeromonas and Pseudomonas bacterial biofilm and spoilage potential on refrigerated grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Aeromonas and Pseudomonas are important bacterial species involved in spoilage of refrigerated freshwater fish. In this study, 10 Aeromonas and seven Pseudomonas bacterial strains were isolated from spoiled grass carp and identified. Twelve of seventeen bacterial strains showed high potential of biofilm formation and 14 of 17 can produce extracellular protease. In order to explore the spoilage capacity of dual-species, the sterile grass carp fillets were inoculated with mono- and dual-species of Aeromonas salmonicida and Pseudomonas azotoformans strains. The results revealed significantly higher levels of the total viable count and total volatile basic nitrogen in dual-species as compared to mono-species from day 6. The higher contents of histamine, cadaverine and serious degradation in muscles tissue were also observed in dual-species after 10 days of storage. Results of in vitro experiments showed that the co-culture of A. salmonicida and P. azotoformans significantly increased the bacterial maximum growth rate, promoted the biofilm formation and improved the spoilage capacity of bacterial strains. This study has revealed that the co-culture of Aeromonas and Pseudomonas bacterial strains accelerated spoilage process of grass carp and increased biofilm formation. It indicates that the mixed-cultures of spoilage micro-organisms pose a huge threat to food industry.

Current and future perspectives for controlling Vibrio biofilms in the seafood industry: a comprehensive review

The contamination of seafood with Vibrio species can have severe repercussions in the seafood industry. Vibrio species can form mature biofilms and persist on the surface of several seafoods such as crabs, oysters, mussels, and shrimp, for extended duration. Several conventional approaches have been employed to inhibit the growth of planktonic cells and prevent the formation of Vibrio biofilms. Since Vibrio biofilms are mostly resistant to these control measures, novel alternative methods need to be urgently developed. In this review, we propose environmentally friendly approaches to suppress Vibrio biofilm formation using a hypothesized mechanism of action.

Vibrio harveyi: A brief survey of general characteristics and recent epidemiological traits associated with climate change

Here we briefly review the major characteristics of the emerging pathogen Vibrio harveyi and discuss survival strategies and adaptation mechanisms underlying the capacity of this marine bacterium to thrive in natural and artificial aquatic settings. Recent studies suggest that some adaptation mechanisms can easily be acquired by V. harveyi and other members of the Vibrionaceae family owing to efficient horizontal gene transfer and elevated mutation rate. While discussing the main factors in charge of the expansion of Vibrio spp. habitats and concomitant spread of Vibrio-associated diseases under climate change, this review highlights the need for future studies able to address the joint impact of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the long-term dynamics and virulence of V. harveyi populations at the global scale.

Anti quorum sensing and anti virulence activity of tannic acid and it's potential to breach resistance in Salmonella enterica Typhi / Paratyphi A clinical isolates

Salmonella enterica Typhi and Paratyphi A are food borne pathogens causing typhoid, which is one of the most important food borne disease in the developing world. S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A are of much concern as multi drug resistance has been on the rise. The current study is aimed to screen phytochemicals for anti quorum sensing (QS) activity against S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A. Upon screening with swarming assay, tannic acid (TA) showed highest anti-QS activity with minimal concentration of 400μg/ml. The anti-QS activity of TA was confirmed with C. violaceum ATCC 12,472. TA showed 38-43% and 35-50% of inhibition in cell surface hydrophobicity and EPS production respectively. Through FTIR analysis, it has been observed that EPS of treated cells has a considerable change in protein and peptide. TA has also exhibited drastic reduction in the surfactant production as high as 85-90%. Blood sensitivity and antibiotic sensitivity assay revealed that TA significantly sensitizes the S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A cells to immune components in human blood and antibiotics. It has reduced the resistance of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A cells against amikacin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol and gentamycin, thus revitalized the usage of these antibiotics against drug resistant S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A infections. The consistency of anti-QS potential of TA was further evaluated and established with another eight clinical isolates of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A. Thus TA has been proved as a promising anti QS agent that can be developed as a therapeutic combination against S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A.

Antibiofilm activity and modes of action of a novel β-sheet peptide against multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica

S. enterica is an important foodborne pathogen worldwide. As some strains can form biofilms which may offer protection against antimicrobials, it is of interest to explore ways to prevent biofilm formation by S. enterica. In this study, we engineered a short β-sheet peptide WK2 (WKWKCTKSGCKWKW-NH₂) and examined its antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against various S. enterica strains, including the multidrug-resistant S. Typhimurium DT104. WK2 displayed bacteriostatic activity with a geometric mean (GM) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4.17 μg/mL, and bactericidal activity, with a GM lethal concentration (LC) of 7.51 μg/mL. Crystal violet staining and fluorescence measurements demonstrated that WK2 inhibited S. Typhimurium DT104 biofilm formation at 0.5 μg/mL and killed the sessile cells in biofilms at 8 μg/mL. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and microscopic observation revealed that the anti-biofilm activity of WK2 likely arises through the formation of complexes with bacterial DNA, inhibition of surface organelle biosynthesis and interference with autoinducer-2 (AI-2)-mediated quorum sensing (QS). Therefore, WK2 is a promising antimicrobial agent for the prevention and control of biofilms produced by multidrug-resistant S. enterica.

Thymoquinone Inhibits Biofilm Formation and Attachment-Invasion in Host Cells of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a halophilic Gram-negative foodborne pathogen that is widely distributed in marine environments. It can cause acute gastroenteritis and other diseases. This study aimed to investigate the antivirulence activity of thymoquinone (TQ) on V. parahaemolyticus. TQ was shown to effectively inhibit V. parahaemolyticus. Subminimum inhibitory concentrations of TQ inhibited swimming and swarming motility, quorum sensing, biofilm formation, the ability of V. parahaemolyticus to adhere and invade the host cells, and the expression of virulence-associated genes of V. parahaemolyticus. These findings suggest that TQ can effectively inhibit the growth of V. parahaemolyticus and significantly reduce its pathogenicity. Considering its safety and various biological activities, TQ has the potential to be developed as a natural antibacterial substance to reduce the diseases associated with V. parahaemolyticus.

Saline Environments as a Source of Potential Quorum Sensing Disruptors to Control Bacterial Infections: A Review

Saline environments, such as marine and hypersaline habitats, are widely distributed around the world. They include sea waters, saline lakes, solar salterns, or hypersaline soils. The bacteria that live in these habitats produce and develop unique bioactive molecules and physiological pathways to cope with the stress conditions generated by these environments. They have been described to produce compounds with properties that differ from those found in non-saline habitats. In the last decades, the ability to disrupt quorum-sensing (QS) intercellular communication systems has been identified in many marine organisms, including bacteria. The two main mechanisms of QS interference, i.e., quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) and quorum quenching (QQ), appear to be a more frequent phenomenon in marine aquatic environments than in soils. However, data concerning bacteria from hypersaline habitats is scarce. Salt-tolerant QSI compounds and QQ enzymes may be of interest to interfere with QS-regulated bacterial functions, including virulence, in sectors such as aquaculture or agriculture where salinity is a serious environmental issue. This review provides a global overview of the main works related to QS interruption in saline environments as well as the derived biotechnological applications.