Biofilms and their role on diseases

Abstract

Various natural products such as lantibiotics (nisin, subtilin, epidermin), antimicrobial peptides (LL-37, Burford-II, PR-39), phytochemicals (tannins, flavonoids, flavones, flavonols), bacteriophages and enzymes (DNases, depolymerases, lactonases, and bacteriophage-based endolysins) have been extensively studied for the inhibition of biofilm formation [8]. [...]synthetic molecules such as sodium citrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, metallic nanoparticles (silver, zinc, copper), cadexomer iodine and chlorhexidine have also been exploited as potent anti-biofilm agents [9]. Various mechanisms are involved in the anti-biofilm activity of these alternative agents, which consists of the inhibition of the QS pathway, disruption of extracellular matrix, inhibition of stringent bacterial response, biofilm disassembly, increased membrane permeabilization, inhibition of signaling pathway and neutralization of lipopolysaccharides [10]. [...]there are reports on anti-biofilm molecules (such as esculetin and octenidine hydrochloride) showing their effective anti-biofilm activity, despite their mechanism of action is still unknown and needs to be further explored before achieving vast therapeutic applications [9]. In this context, understanding the mechanism of action of anti-biofilm agents provides a roadmap to improve the efficacy of the drug by incorporating chemical modifications or using combinational therapy. [...]various anti-biofilm agents have shown their potency in preclinical studies [8], while there is a need for an increased number of phase 1–4 clinical trials to validate the safety and efficacy of these compounds in human subjects.