Phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Paederia foetida Linn. against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An integrated in vitro and in silico investigation

Background and Aim: Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen notorious for its biofilm formation and persistence in clinical and veterinary settings. Its resistance is exacerbated by quorum sensing (QS) pathways that regulate virulence and biofilm maturation. Disrupting QS and...

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Main Authors: Sirijan Santajit, Techit Thavorasak, Dararat Horpet, Thida Kong-ngoen, Uttapol Permpoon, Chul Young Kim, Tae-Gyu Nam, Nitaya Indrawattana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Veterinary World 2025-08-01
Series:Veterinary World
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Online Access:https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/August-2025/3.pdf
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author Sirijan Santajit
Techit Thavorasak
Dararat Horpet
Thida Kong-ngoen
Uttapol Permpoon
Chul Young Kim
Tae-Gyu Nam
Nitaya Indrawattana
author_facet Sirijan Santajit
Techit Thavorasak
Dararat Horpet
Thida Kong-ngoen
Uttapol Permpoon
Chul Young Kim
Tae-Gyu Nam
Nitaya Indrawattana
author_sort Sirijan Santajit
collection DOAJ
description Background and Aim: Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen notorious for its biofilm formation and persistence in clinical and veterinary settings. Its resistance is exacerbated by quorum sensing (QS) pathways that regulate virulence and biofilm maturation. Disrupting QS and biofilm integrity using plant-derived compounds presents a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm and anti-QS potential of Paederia foetida Linn. ethanolic extract against A. baumannii, integrating gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling, molecular docking, and in vitro assays. Materials and Methods: Leaves of P. foetida were extracted with ethanol and analyzed by GC-MS to identify major bioactive constituents. Molecular docking was conducted against five QS and biofilm-associated A. baumannii proteins (AF-A0A7S8WE28-F1-v4, AF-A0A059ZL64-F1-v4, AF-Q2VSW6-F1-v4, AF-A0A2P1B9S4-F1-v4, and AF-A0A5P9VY74-F1-v4). Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiles and drug-likeness of key compounds were assessed in silico. Antimicrobial activity was determined by broth microdilution (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]/minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC]), and biofilm inhibition was evaluated through crystal violet microtiter assays. Morphological damage was examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Results: GC-MS identified 30 phytoconstituents, with 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, 4H-pyran-4-one derivative, and eugenol as predominant compounds. Eugenol exhibited the highest binding affinity, particularly with AbaR (−6.3 kcal/mol). The extract showed significant antimicrobial activity (MIC = 7.81 mg/mL; MBC = 31.25 mg/mL) and dose-dependent inhibition of biofilm biomass (p < 0.001). FE-SEM imaging confirmed dose-responsive membrane damage and disruption of the biofilm. ADMET predictions revealed favorable oral bioavailability and low toxicity for selected compounds. Conclusion: P. foetida extract exhibits potent antibacterial, anti-QS, and antibiofilm activity against MDR A. baumannii, supported by its phytochemical diversity, favorable pharmacokinetics, and strong protein-ligand interactions. These findings suggest its promise as a plant-derived therapeutic aligned with the One Health framework to combat antimicrobial resistance in both human and veterinary medicine.
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spelling doaj-art-5f6a55fd70974fe6bb656dcf5a5816062025-08-20T03:38:59ZengVeterinary WorldVeterinary World0972-89882231-09162025-08-011882181219310.14202/vetworld.2025.2181-2193Phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Paederia foetida Linn. against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An integrated in vitro and in silico investigationSirijan Santajit0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1273-2618Techit Thavorasak1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8094-3273Dararat Horpet2https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7972-2407Thida Kong-ngoen3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5756-5833Uttapol Permpoon4https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6139-3773Chul Young Kim5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6988-1059Tae-Gyu Nam6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5292-9335Nitaya Indrawattana7https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1571-528XDepartment of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, 80160, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, 80160, Thailand.Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University ERICA, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea.Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University ERICA, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea.Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University ERICA, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea.Biomedical Research Incubator Unit, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand; Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand; Biodesign Innovation Program, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.Background and Aim: Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen notorious for its biofilm formation and persistence in clinical and veterinary settings. Its resistance is exacerbated by quorum sensing (QS) pathways that regulate virulence and biofilm maturation. Disrupting QS and biofilm integrity using plant-derived compounds presents a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm and anti-QS potential of Paederia foetida Linn. ethanolic extract against A. baumannii, integrating gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling, molecular docking, and in vitro assays. Materials and Methods: Leaves of P. foetida were extracted with ethanol and analyzed by GC-MS to identify major bioactive constituents. Molecular docking was conducted against five QS and biofilm-associated A. baumannii proteins (AF-A0A7S8WE28-F1-v4, AF-A0A059ZL64-F1-v4, AF-Q2VSW6-F1-v4, AF-A0A2P1B9S4-F1-v4, and AF-A0A5P9VY74-F1-v4). Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiles and drug-likeness of key compounds were assessed in silico. Antimicrobial activity was determined by broth microdilution (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]/minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC]), and biofilm inhibition was evaluated through crystal violet microtiter assays. Morphological damage was examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Results: GC-MS identified 30 phytoconstituents, with 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, 4H-pyran-4-one derivative, and eugenol as predominant compounds. Eugenol exhibited the highest binding affinity, particularly with AbaR (−6.3 kcal/mol). The extract showed significant antimicrobial activity (MIC = 7.81 mg/mL; MBC = 31.25 mg/mL) and dose-dependent inhibition of biofilm biomass (p < 0.001). FE-SEM imaging confirmed dose-responsive membrane damage and disruption of the biofilm. ADMET predictions revealed favorable oral bioavailability and low toxicity for selected compounds. Conclusion: P. foetida extract exhibits potent antibacterial, anti-QS, and antibiofilm activity against MDR A. baumannii, supported by its phytochemical diversity, favorable pharmacokinetics, and strong protein-ligand interactions. These findings suggest its promise as a plant-derived therapeutic aligned with the One Health framework to combat antimicrobial resistance in both human and veterinary medicine.https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/August-2025/3.pdfacinetobacter baumanniiabsorptiondistributionmetabolismexcretionand toxicitybiofilm disruptioneugenolgas chromatography–mass spectrometrymolecular dockingone healthpaederia foetidaquorum sensing inhibition
spellingShingle Sirijan Santajit
Techit Thavorasak
Dararat Horpet
Thida Kong-ngoen
Uttapol Permpoon
Chul Young Kim
Tae-Gyu Nam
Nitaya Indrawattana
Phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Paederia foetida Linn. against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An integrated in vitro and in silico investigation
Veterinary World
acinetobacter baumannii
absorption
distribution
metabolism
excretion
and toxicity
biofilm disruption
eugenol
gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
molecular docking
one health
paederia foetida
quorum sensing inhibition
title Phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Paederia foetida Linn. against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An integrated in vitro and in silico investigation
title_full Phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Paederia foetida Linn. against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An integrated in vitro and in silico investigation
title_fullStr Phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Paederia foetida Linn. against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An integrated in vitro and in silico investigation
title_full_unstemmed Phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Paederia foetida Linn. against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An integrated in vitro and in silico investigation
title_short Phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Paederia foetida Linn. against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An integrated in vitro and in silico investigation
title_sort phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by paederia foetida linn against multidrug resistant acinetobacter baumannii an integrated in vitro and in silico investigation
topic acinetobacter baumannii
absorption
distribution
metabolism
excretion
and toxicity
biofilm disruption
eugenol
gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
molecular docking
one health
paederia foetida
quorum sensing inhibition
url https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/August-2025/3.pdf
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