Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 40124935 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2025.100268
L. as biofilm inhibitor: Insights into the mechanism of action using proteomics/metabolomics and toxicity studies.
Biofilm 9:100268
Authors: Sandy Gerschler, Sandra Maaß, Philip Gerth, Lukas Schulig, Toni Wildgrube, Jan Rockstroh, Martina Wurster, Karen Methling, Dörte Becher, Michael Lalk, Christian Schulze, Sebastian Guenther, Nadin Schultze
Affiliations
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Straße 17, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 8, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
- Partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre, Soldmannstr. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
Abstract
The successful sustainable cultivation of the well-known medicinal plant sundew on rewetted peatlands not only leads to the preservation of natural populations, but also provides a basis for the sustainable pharmaceutical use of the plant. The bioactive compounds of sundew, flavonoids and naphthoquinones, show biofilm-inhibiting properties against multidrug-resistant, ESBL-producing strains and open up new therapeutic possibilities. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms of these compounds in biofilm inhibition through proteomic analyses. Specific fractions of flavonoids and naphthoquinones, as well as individual substances like 7-methyljuglone and 2″--galloylhyperoside, are analyzed. Results show that naphthoquinones appear to act via central regulatory proteins such as OmpR and alter the stress response while flavonoids likely affect biofilm formation by creating an iron-poor environment through iron complexation and additionally influence polyamine balance, reducing intracellular spermidine levels. Further investigations including assays for iron complexation and analysis of polyamines confirmed the proteomic data. Safety evaluations through cytotoxicity tests in 3D cell cultures and the model confirm the safety of the extracts used. These findings highlight sundew as a promising candidate for new phytopharmaceuticals.
MeSH
Cells, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Biofilms, Polyamines, Naphthoquinones, Metabolomics, Proteomics, Flavonoids