Plumbagin inhibits quorum sensing-regulated virulence and biofilms of Gram-negative bacteria: <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in silico</i> investigations

The global rise in antimicrobial resistance and lack of discovery new antimicrobials have created serious concerns. Targeting quorum sensing (QS) biofilms pathogenic bacteria is considered a promising approach drug discovery. This study explored the inhibitory effect plumbagin against QS Chromobacterium violaceum, Serratia marcescens Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Violacein production C. violaceum 12472 was reduced by >80%. virulent traits P. aeruginosa PAO1 such as pyocyanin, rhamnolipid proteases were also inhibited at sub-minimum concentrations. Moreover, test 56–70%. Plumbagin bacterial adherence colonization on solid surface. Computational studies gave closer insights regarding possible modes action. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that protein complexes quite stable under physiological conditions. provides both experimental computational evidence efficacy QS-controlled virulence factors Gram-negative bacteria.