The Potential of Systems Biology to Discover Antibacterial Mechanisms of Plant Phenolics

Abstract

Drug resistance of bacterial pathogens is a growing problem that can be addressed through the discovery of compounds with novel mechanisms of antibacterial activity. Natural products, including plant phenolic compounds, are one source of diverse chemical structures that could inhibit bacteria through novel mechanisms. However, evaluating novel antibacterial mechanisms of action can be difficult and is uncommon in assessments of plant phenolic compounds. With systems biology approaches, though, antibacterial mechanisms can be assessed without the bias of target-directed bioassays to enable the discovery of novel mechanism(s) of action against drug resistant microorganisms. This review article summarizes the current knowledge of antibacterial mechanisms of action of plant phenolic compounds and discusses relevant methodology.

Genome-wide transposon screen of aPseudomonas syringae mexBmutant reveals the substrates of efflux transporters

“…However, it has remained a challenge to associate particular transporters with their substrates, especially for host-produced compounds. One strategy to overcome the masking effect of such dominant transporters is either to genetically disrupt genes encoding MDR efflux transporters, as discussed previously, or chemically inhibit them (22, 24, 38). Here, we were able to use a transposon library constructed in a Δ mexB strain to reveal the role of several partially redundant RND efflux pumps.…”

“…Homologs of AcrAB-TolC are common in Gram-negative bacteria, and have been shown to contribute to virulence of plant pathogens as diverse as Erwinia amylovora, Pseudomonas syringae, Ralstonia solanacearum , and Xylella fastidiosa (18–21). Interestingly, inhibition of efflux pumps by known chemical inhibitors can increase the antimicrobial activity of compounds produced by plants (22–24) and might be considered a plant disease resistance trait. P. syringae pv.…”

Phytochemicals and The Ability of Plantago major Linn. Extract to Inhibit The growth of Aeromonas hydrophila

“…The antibacterial mechanism between one compound and another combined together will work synergistically and be more effective in fighting bacteria [37]. On the other hand, chloramphenicol was used as a positive control in this study because it is one of the antibiotics used to control the growth of A. hydrophila bacteria.…”

Plant Fibers and Phenolics: A Review on Their Synthesis, Analysis and Combined Use for Biomaterials with New Properties

“…Notably, plants are also rich sources of phytochemicals showing antioxidant and bactericidal/fungicidal effects. Some plant species, such as the fiber crops hemp and nettle, are multi-purpose, as they produce both high yields of cellulosic fibers and phytochemicals [2,9].In this review we will illustrate recent examples of natural fibers functionalized (i.e., with a chemical bond) or impregnated with phytochemicals (more specifically phenolics which show strong antimicrobial activities thanks to their chemical heterogeneity [10]). The goal is to highlight the value of plants as renewable resources of biomass (fibers) on one hand and of molecules with biological effects (e.g., antimicrobial) on the other.…”

“…In this review we will illustrate recent examples of natural fibers functionalized (i.e., with a chemical bond) or impregnated with phytochemicals (more specifically phenolics which show strong antimicrobial activities thanks to their chemical heterogeneity [10]). The goal is to highlight the value of plants as renewable resources of biomass (fibers) on one hand and of molecules with biological effects (e.g., antimicrobial) on the other.…”