Tannin-rich fraction from Terminalia catappa inhibits quorum sensing (QS) in Chromobacterium violaceum and the QS-controlled biofilm maturation and LasA staphylolytic activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Aim of the study: The study aimed to test the activity of Terminalia catappa L against bacterial quorum sensing (QS) in order to provide a potential scientific basis for the traditional use of leaf extracts of this plant as an antiseptic. Materials and methods: The anti-QS activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Terminalia catappa was detected through the inhibition of the QS-controlled violacein pigment production in Chromobacterium violaceum. Fractions resulting from size-exclusion chromatography were assayed. The most active fraction was characterized through qualitative phytochemical detection methods. The effect of this fraction on known QS-controlled phenotypes in test strains was assessed. Results: The fraction with the highest activity (labeled as TCF12) was characterized to be tannin-rich. It specifically inhibited QS-controlled violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum with 50% reduction achieved at 62.5 mu g mL(-1) without significantly affecting growth up to about 962 mu g mL(-1). The assessment of its effects on LasA activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145 found that the production of this virulence determinant is reduced in a concentration dependent manner with about 50% reduction at 62.5 mu g mL(-1). Furthermore, it was found that TCF12 was able to inhibit the maturation of biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a phenotype that has also been known to be QS-regulated. Conclusion: Therefore, tannin-rich components of Terminalia catappa leaves are able to inhibit certain phenotypic expression of QS in the test strains used. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.