Inhibiting the Quorum Sensing system: A Novel Strategy to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represent a critical threat to global public health, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. Quorum sensing (QS), a bacterial cell-cell communication system that regulates virulence, biofilm formation, and antibiotic tolerance, has emerged as a promising non-bactericidal target. This review evaluates the strategy of QS inhibition (QSI), or quorum quenching, as a novel method to combat drug-resistant infections. We detail the molecular mechanisms of QS in key pathogens, explore various QSI approaches, including enzymatic degradation of autoinducers, synthetic inhibitors, and natural compounds, and summarize preclinical evidence supporting their efficacy. QSI agents attenuate virulence, disrupt biofilms, and resensitize bacteria to conventional antibiotics while potentially reducing selective pressure for resistance. Clinical applications for chronic and biofilm-associated infections are discussed. Despite challenges in drug development and delivery, QSI represents a viable and innovative adjunct to existing antimicrobial therapies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Quorum Sensing Inhibition ، Antimicrobial Resistance ، Biofilm ، Anti-virulence