Biofilm and Quorum Sensing inhibitors: the road so far

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Biofilm is a complex aggregation of microorganisms characterized by the presence of a dynamic, adhesive and protective extracellular matrix composed of polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids. It is estimated that the vast majority of human infections are related to the biofilm in which the microorganisms reside and communicate with each other (Quorum Sensing), surviving in hostile environmental conditions.

Areas covered

This review provides a comprehensive focus on the development state of promising strategies against biofilm production and eradication describing chemical structures, results, administration routes, pharmaceutical compositions, and SARs as well as their shortcomings within the 2019–2020 range.

Expert opinion

New pharmacological targets have been explored in the past years, allowing a broader therapeutic arsenal against biofilm-related pathologies. The Quorum Sensing system was targeted as well in order to avoid the development of intrinsically antibiotic-resistant bacteria and to enhance a proper host defense.

KEYWORDS:

• Biofilm
• Quorum Sensing
• natural compounds
• drug resistance
• wound biofilm
• RelA inhibitors
• SspB adherence region
• LasR inhibitors
• bismuth-thiol

Article highlights

• Novel compounds on new targets are evaluated alone or in combination with well-established therapies.

• In the past years, most of the patents dealt with compounds to treat biofilm-related infections.

• Natural and synthetic compounds to eradicate or inhibit biofilm were proposed.

• Quorum Sensing inhibitors have been less developed in the patent landscape.

• Pharmaceutical compositions are licensed to demonstrate the efficacy in in vivo and ex vivo models.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.