Quorum Quenching of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> Methanolic Extract and Its Phytochemical Profile

Quorum sensing (QS) is a molecular communication mechanism among bacterial cells. It is critical in regulating virulence factors, motility, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation. <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen linked to healthcare-associate...

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Main Authors: Hala I. Al-Daghistani, Sina M. Matalqah, Khalid A. Shadid, Lubna F. Abu-Niaaj, Sima Zein, Raeda M. Abo-Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Pathogens
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/2/163
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author Hala I. Al-Daghistani
Sina M. Matalqah
Khalid A. Shadid
Lubna F. Abu-Niaaj
Sima Zein
Raeda M. Abo-Ali
author_facet Hala I. Al-Daghistani
Sina M. Matalqah
Khalid A. Shadid
Lubna F. Abu-Niaaj
Sima Zein
Raeda M. Abo-Ali
author_sort Hala I. Al-Daghistani
collection DOAJ
description Quorum sensing (QS) is a molecular communication mechanism among bacterial cells. It is critical in regulating virulence factors, motility, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation. <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen linked to healthcare-associated infections, food poisoning, and biofilm formation. Treating infections caused by pathogenic bacteria has become a challenge due to the development of multi-antibiotic resistance upon continuous exposure of bacteria to antibiotics. An alternative strategy to conventional antimicrobials to decrease the bacterial pathogenicity is QS inhibition, also known as quorum quenching. Using plant-derived compounds is an environmentally friendly strategy to block the bacterial QS and inhibit bacterial growth. <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> is a popular plant in different countries and is also used in traditional medicine. It is widely consumed raw in salads and as garnishes, though it can be cooked as a vegetarian dish. This study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract of <i>P. oleracea</i> and its effectiveness in blocking or attenuating the QS of <i>P. aeruginosa</i>. The agar well diffusion method used for screening the antibacterial activity showed a significant growth inhibition of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by the extract at 500 mg/mL with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25 mg/mL. A bioindicator bacterium, <i>Chromobacterium violaceum</i> CV026, was used to determine the effect of the methanolic extract on the QS of <i>P. aeruginosa.</i> The results indicated a significant reduction in biofilm formation, pyocyanin production, and LasA staphylolytic activity. The phytochemical analysis by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry showed that the methanolic extract contained several phenols, alkaloids, esters, and other compounds previously reported to have antibacterial and antioxidant effects. These findings highlight the effectiveness of <i>P. oleracea</i> methanolic extract in attenuating the QS and virulence factors of <i>P. aeruginosa.</i> This study suggests that <i>P. oleracea</i> is an important source of natural antimicrobials and its use would be beneficial in food and pharmaceutical applications.
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spelling doaj-art-dc9d7eb76b544896a0f1372d8ed3d67b2025-08-20T02:03:32ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-02-0114216310.3390/pathogens14020163Quorum Quenching of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> Methanolic Extract and Its Phytochemical ProfileHala I. Al-Daghistani0Sina M. Matalqah1Khalid A. Shadid2Lubna F. Abu-Niaaj3Sima Zein4Raeda M. Abo-Ali5Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, JordanPharmacological and Diagnostic Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, JordanPharmacological and Diagnostic Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, JordanDepartment of Agricultural and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science, Technology and Agriculture, Central State University, Wilberforce, OH 45384, USADepartment of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, JordanFaculty of Nursing, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman 19117, JordanQuorum sensing (QS) is a molecular communication mechanism among bacterial cells. It is critical in regulating virulence factors, motility, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation. <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen linked to healthcare-associated infections, food poisoning, and biofilm formation. Treating infections caused by pathogenic bacteria has become a challenge due to the development of multi-antibiotic resistance upon continuous exposure of bacteria to antibiotics. An alternative strategy to conventional antimicrobials to decrease the bacterial pathogenicity is QS inhibition, also known as quorum quenching. Using plant-derived compounds is an environmentally friendly strategy to block the bacterial QS and inhibit bacterial growth. <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> is a popular plant in different countries and is also used in traditional medicine. It is widely consumed raw in salads and as garnishes, though it can be cooked as a vegetarian dish. This study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract of <i>P. oleracea</i> and its effectiveness in blocking or attenuating the QS of <i>P. aeruginosa</i>. The agar well diffusion method used for screening the antibacterial activity showed a significant growth inhibition of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by the extract at 500 mg/mL with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25 mg/mL. A bioindicator bacterium, <i>Chromobacterium violaceum</i> CV026, was used to determine the effect of the methanolic extract on the QS of <i>P. aeruginosa.</i> The results indicated a significant reduction in biofilm formation, pyocyanin production, and LasA staphylolytic activity. The phytochemical analysis by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry showed that the methanolic extract contained several phenols, alkaloids, esters, and other compounds previously reported to have antibacterial and antioxidant effects. These findings highlight the effectiveness of <i>P. oleracea</i> methanolic extract in attenuating the QS and virulence factors of <i>P. aeruginosa.</i> This study suggests that <i>P. oleracea</i> is an important source of natural antimicrobials and its use would be beneficial in food and pharmaceutical applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/2/163<i>Portulaca oleracea</i><i>Chromobacterium violaceum</i><i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>quorum sensingquorum quenchingvirulence factors
spellingShingle Hala I. Al-Daghistani
Sina M. Matalqah
Khalid A. Shadid
Lubna F. Abu-Niaaj
Sima Zein
Raeda M. Abo-Ali
Quorum Quenching of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> Methanolic Extract and Its Phytochemical Profile
Pathogens
<i>Portulaca oleracea</i>
<i>Chromobacterium violaceum</i>
<i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>
quorum sensing
quorum quenching
virulence factors
title Quorum Quenching of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> Methanolic Extract and Its Phytochemical Profile
title_full Quorum Quenching of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> Methanolic Extract and Its Phytochemical Profile
title_fullStr Quorum Quenching of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> Methanolic Extract and Its Phytochemical Profile
title_full_unstemmed Quorum Quenching of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> Methanolic Extract and Its Phytochemical Profile
title_short Quorum Quenching of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> by <i>Portulaca oleracea</i> Methanolic Extract and Its Phytochemical Profile
title_sort quorum quenching of i p aeruginosa i by i portulaca oleracea i methanolic extract and its phytochemical profile
topic <i>Portulaca oleracea</i>
<i>Chromobacterium violaceum</i>
<i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>
quorum sensing
quorum quenching
virulence factors
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/2/163
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