Microbial Quorum Quenching by Natural Products: Mechanisms and its Applications

Abstract

Threats to public health around the world are emerging at an alarming rate, as microbial species (infectious agents) are becoming increasingly resistant to various antimicrobial treatments. Nearly every agent that can spread infection (such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses) at high levels has developed multidrug resistance (MDR) with increased morbidity and mortality and has been called “superbugs”. Quorum sensing (QS) enables bacteria to exchange messages, thereby enhancing their ability to cause harm. Attacking the quorum-sensing process may prevent bacteria from being virulent, but it will not make the bacteria resistant. The process of Quorum Quenching (QQ) uses chemicals or enzymes to stop QS from regulating certain behaviors. They are also known as QQ molecules because they are chemical reproductions made in the lab or extracted from plants. Because of this, rather than using cellular and biochemical methods, plants may rely on making anti-QS compounds to protect themselves from QS pathogens. The positive effects of medicinal plants on quorum sensing have been noted, so efforts have been made to thoroughly review them.