Role of Medicinal Plants and Endophytic Bacteria of Medicinal Plants in Inhibition of Biofilm Formation: Interference in Quorum Sensing

Abstract

Quorum sensing (QS) plays a major part in the growth of biofilms. QS depends on the presence of bacteria in sufficient numbers which enables achieving threshold level of autoinducer, thus triggering the gene expression responsible for biofilm formation virulence, sporulation, conjugation, etc. Controlling the production of autoinducers can provide an approach for disease control. Studies on quorum sensing inhibition and the quest for QS inhibitors have shown many eukaryotes, particularly plants, and even bacteria to produce anti-QS substances. Several anti-QS methods have been proved including natural products from plant-based secondary metabolites. Many species of medicinal plants yield metabolites that can control the microbial growth and have traditionally been used to treat diseases, particularly microbial infections. Endophytic bacteria of medicinal plants have been researched for their role in disease control. Most of the medicinal properties of the plants have actually been found to be a characteristic of the endophytic community of the plant. Medicinal plants and the endophytes of the medicinal plants with anti-quorum sensing activity thus having potential as biofilm formation inhibitors have been reviewed in this chapter.