Subinhibitory Concentrations of Allicin Decrease Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) Biofilm Formation, Adhesion...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Natural Products Chemistry
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) biofilms are crucial for persistent infections, antibiotic resistance, and immune evasion.
• Effective strategies to combat UPEC biofilms are urgently needed due to treatment challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of allicin, derived from garlic essential oil, on UPEC biofilm formation, dispersal, adhesion, and motility.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying allicin's anti-biofilm activity.

Main Methods:

• Assessing the impact of sub-inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of allicin on UPEC biofilm formation and architecture.
• Evaluating allicin's ability to disperse pre-formed UPEC biofilms.
• Measuring changes in UPEC adhesion and swimming motility upon allicin treatment.
• Utilizing real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to analyze gene expression.
• Performing molecular docking studies to understand allicin-FimH interactions.

Main Results:

• Sub-MICs of allicin significantly reduced UPEC biofilm formation and altered biofilm architecture.
• Allicin demonstrated efficacy in dispersing established UPEC biofilms.
• Allicin treatment decreased UPEC's adhesion capabilities and swimming motility.
• RT-qPCR revealed allicin downregulates the type 1 fimbriae adhesin gene (fimH) and the response regulator gene (uvrY), while upregulating the global regulatory gene (csrA).
• Docking studies confirmed allicin's binding to the FimH protein.

Conclusions:

• Allicin effectively inhibits UPEC biofilm formation and promotes biofilm dispersal.
• Allicin's anti-biofilm effects are mediated by reduced adhesion and motility, linked to modulation of key regulatory genes like fimH, uvrY, and csrA.
• Allicin represents a promising natural compound for developing novel therapeutic strategies against UPEC infections.