Potential of polyphenols in curbing quorum sensing and biofilm formation in Gram-negative pathogens

Abstract

Polyphenols are the secondary metabolic products of plants and are considered as active constituents to possess therapeutic effects. To date, a vast number of scientific literature addressed the potential of polyphenols as bio-efficient compounds owing to their structural diversity. Due to the presence of several hydroxyl groups, they are metabolized quickly due to conjugation reaction and thus, readily produce toxic metabolites as a defense material against many pathogens, reflecting their safety strategy. This review focuses on the anti-quorum sensing and biofilm inhibition activity of polyphenols, which display their potential to treat bacterial infections by combating the virulence caused by pathogenic agents. Thus, for mitigating quorum sensing-controlled pathogenesis, the use of polyphenol-based phytochemicals holds immense potential to cure infections. The application of polyphenol as sensitizing agent/ adjuvant therapeutics which act in synergism with antibiotics is highly remarkable.

Keywords

• polyphenols; quorum sensing; biofilm; recombinant polyphenolic compounds; sensitizers; antibiotic resistance