Phloroglucinol-Gold and -Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Antibiofilm and Antivirulence Activities towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Abstract

With the advancement of nanotechnology, several nanoparticles have been synthesized as antimicrobial agents by utilizing biologically derived materials. In most cases, the materials used for the synthesis of nanoparticles from natural sources are extracts. Natural extracts contain a wide range of bioactive components, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact component responsible for nanoparticle synthesis. Furthermore, the bioactive component present in the extract changes according to numerous environmental factors. As a result, the current work intended to synthesize gold (AuNPs) and zinc oxide (ZnONPs) nanoparticles using pure phloroglucinol (PG). The synthesized PG-AuNPs and PG-ZnONPs were characterized using a UV–Vis absorption spectrophotometer, FTIR, DLS, FE-TEM, zeta potential, EDS, and energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction. The characterized PG-AuNPs and PG-ZnONPs have been employed to combat the pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is recognized as one of the most prevalent pathogens responsible for the common cause of nosocomial infection in humans. Antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa has been linked to the development of recalcitrant phenotypic characteristics, such as biofilm, which has been identified as one of the major obstacles to antimicrobial therapy. Furthermore, P. aeruginosa generates various virulence factors that are a major cause of chronic infection. These PG-AuNPs and PG-ZnONPs significantly inhibit early stage biofilm and eradicate mature biofilm. Furthermore, these NPs reduce P. aeruginosa virulence factors such as pyoverdine, pyocyanin, protease, rhamnolipid, and hemolytic capabilities. In addition, these NPs significantly reduce P. aeruginosa swarming, swimming, and twitching motility. PG-AuNPs and PG-ZnONPs can be used as control agents for infections caused by the biofilm-forming human pathogenic bacterium P. aeruginosa.

Phloroglucinol and Its Derivatives: Antimicrobial Properties toward Microbial Pathogens

“…Recently, phloroglucinol has been used as a pure single compound in the synthesis of metallic (e.g., AuNPs) and metal oxide (e.g., ZnONPs) nanoparticles (Figure 10A). 138 The synthesized PG-AuNPs and PG-ZnONPs were shown to have efficient biofilm inhibitory action and to destroy an already established mature biofilm of P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, these NPs inhibited various virulence properties such as hemolysis, protease activity, motility properties, and the production of virulence factors such as rhamnolipids, pyoverdine, and pyocyanin.…”

“…136 Emerging nanotechnology has had tremendous success in producing and using nanoparticles (metallic and oxide) employing a green-chemistry approach. 138 Nanoparticles synthesized from naturally derived materials are a promising approach compared to physical and chemical approaches because they are simple, cost-effective, and ecofriendly and lower the risk of harmful residues being discharged into the environment. 139,140 Moreover, nanoparticles synthesized using the green synthesis approach are more stable and biocompatible.…”

“…However, because natural extracts contain a diverse variety of bioactive components, it is difficult to define the exact component responsible for nanoparticle synthesis. 138 In addition, the bioactive component in the extract varies depending on a variety of environmental factors. Recently, phloroglucinol has been used as a pure single compound in the synthesis of metallic (e.g., AuNPs) and metal oxide (e.g., ZnONPs) nanoparticles (Figure 10A).…”

Marine-Bioinspired Nanoparticles as Potential Drugs for Multiple Biological Roles

“…pneumoniae / S. mutans [ 139 ]. Gold and zinc oxide nanoparticles produced with phloroglucinol showed significant antibacterial action against P. aeruginosa [ 140 ]. Moreover, these nanoparticles inhibited P. aeruginosa twitching, swimming, and swarming motility, all of which have virulence features.…”

“…The synthesized PG-AuNPs and PG-ZnONPs showed antibiofilm and antivirulence properties towards P. aeruginosa . Reproduced with permission from reference [ 140 ]. Copyright 2021 by the authors and licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.…”