Effects of ginkgolic acid(C15:1)on biofilm formation, pathogenic factor production and quorum sensing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

To complete the investigation of the bacterial inhibitory activity of ginkgolic acid (GA), the quorum sensing activity of GA was investigated to assess the potential of ginkgo biloba exocarp for the production of quorum sensing inhibitor. The effect of GA (C15:1) on the growth and secondary metabolism of p. aeruginosa PAO1 were tested. The results showed that GA (C15:1) had no effect on the growth of p. aeruginosa PAO1, and that GA (C15:1) was able to inhibit the formation of quorum sensing dependent virulence factors, but promoted the formation of biofilms. Finally, the above experimental results were verified by LasR-GFP, RhlR-GFP system and fluorescence quantitative PCR. These results suggested that GA (C15:1) was capable of modulating the quorum sensing system of p. aeruginosa PAO1 and possessed potential as an anti-virulence factor drug, but is not suitable for development as a broad-spectrum biofilm inhibitor.

Automated summary

This study investigated the quorum sensing activity of ginkgolic acid (GA) and found that it was able to inhibit the formation of quorum sensing dependent virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, but promoted the formation of biofilms. These results suggest that GA has the potential as an anti-virulence factor drug, but is not suitable for development as a broad-spectrum biofilm inhibitor.