Association of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate and Quorum Sensing Molecules to Modulate Biofilms in Clinical Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Strains

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common multidrug resistant opportunistic pathogens. This Gram-negative bacterial species uses intricate molecular signaling paths to regulate its resistance and virulence, namely quorum sensing (QS) mechanism. Since the discovery of QS inhibitors (QSI), targeting virulence genes to suppress bacterial pathogenesis without causing significant growth inhibition has been a promising approach for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections. The use of natural compounds as potential QS modulators is an appealing anti-pathogenic strategy. In this study, we have evaluated the ability of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a potent tea tree derived bioactive molecule to act as a biofilm inhibitory agent in P. aeruginosa and potentate modulatory properties of QS signaling molecules. The results show that subinhibitory EGCG concentrations suppresses attachment and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa resistant strains, without inhibiting planktonic cells growth. Also, the results proved that EGCGs acts as a QSI decreasing the growth of attached bacteria.