Background: Targeting quorum sensing is an alternative approach to antibiotics.Targeting quorum sensing-regulated virulence
will disarm the pathogen without exerting pressure on its growth. As a result, emergence of resistance is avoided and the immune
system can easily eradicate bacteria.
Objectives: Investigation of the possible inhibition of quorum sensing-regulated virulence of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
by glyceryltrinitrate.
Methods: The quorum sensing inhibiting activity of glyceryl trinitrate was assessed by inhibition of violacein production in
Chromobacterium violaceum
ATCC 12472. Its ability to inhibit pyocyanin, protease, biofilm and tolerance to oxidative stress was
evaluated. Docking study was performed to study the interference of glyceryl trinitrate with the binding of autoinducers with
LasR and rhlR receptors.
Results: Glyceryl trinitrate exerted a significant biofilm inhibiting and eradicating activities. It decreased the production of
quorum-sensing dependent violacein production. It significantly inhibited the production of pyocyanin and protease and diminished
the tolerance against oxidative stress. Molecular docking study showed that glyceryl trinitrate interferes with the binding of
autoinducers to their receptors. It could bind to Las Rand rhlr receptors with binding energy of -93.47 and -77.23, respectively.
Conclusion: Glyceryl trinitrate can be an antivirulence agent in the treatment of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa topical infections such as burn infections.