Dual action of benzaldehydes: Inhibiting quorum sensing and enhancing antibiotic efficacy for controlling Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Leitao, MM (Author) Other; Vieira, TF (Author) Other; Sousa, SF (Author) Other; Fernanda Borges (Author) FCUP; Simoes, M (Author) Other; Anabela Borges (Author) FEUP; Simões M (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Microbial Pathogenesis

Vol. 191

Pages: 1-22

ISSN: 0882-4010

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 3 Citations

Scopus - 4 Citations

Associated Projects

ALiCE - ALiCE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química

InnovAntiBiofilm - Boosting Sustainable Innovation in Developing New Antibiotic Adjuvants to Control Biofilm Resistance

LEPABE - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

LEPABE - Projeto Estratégico do LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

CIQUP - Financiamento Plurianual da Unidade de I&D CIQUP - Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-010-D34

DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106663

Abstract (EN): Quorum sensing (QS) has a central role in biofilm lifestyle and antimicrobial resistance, and disrupting these signaling pathways is a promising strategy to control bacterial pathogenicity and virulence. In this study, the efficacy of three structurally related benzaldehydes (4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin) and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (syringaldehyde)) in disrupting the las and pqs systems of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated using bioreporter strains and computational simulations. Additionally, these benzaldehydes were combined with tobramycin and ciprofloxacin antibiotics to evaluate their ability to increase antibiotic efficacy in preventing and eradicating P. aeruginosa biofilms. To this end, the total biomass, metabolic activity and culturability of the biofilm cells were determined. In vitro assays results indicated that the aromatic aldehydes have potential to inhibit the las and pqs systems by > 80 %. Molecular docking studies supported these findings, revealing the aldehydes binding in the same pocket as the natural ligands or receptor proteins (LasR, PQSA, PQSE, PQSR). Benzaldehydes were shown to act as virulence factor attenuators, with vanillin achieving a 48 % reduction in pyocyanin production. The benzaldehyde-tobramycin combination led not only to a 60 % reduction in biomass production but also to a 90 % reduction in the metabolic activity of established biofilms. A similar result was observed when benzaldehydes were combined with ciprofloxacin. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde demonstrated relevant action in increasing biofilm susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, resulting in a 65 % reduction in biomass. This study discloses, for the first time, that the benzaldehydes studied are potent QS inhibitors and also enhancers of antibiotics antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 22