Ketoprofen attenuates Las/Rhl quorum-sensing (QS) systems of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: molecular and docking studies

Quorum sensing (QS) is the leading cause of persistent infections and recalcitrance to antibiotic treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hence, QS inhibitors are promising agents for the potential treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.

Herein, the reducing effect of ketoprofen on virulence factors production including protease, hemolysin, pyocyanin, hydrogen cyanide, biofilm, and motility of P. aeruginosa strains was investigated. Furthermore, the quorum quenching activity of ketoprofen at the molecular level was examined by real-time PCR assessment. Our results showed that ketoprofen significantly attenuates virulence factors and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa strains. Moreover, ketoprofen down-regulated the expression of lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR genes, by 35–47, 22–48, 34–67, and 43–56%, respectively. As well, molecular docking simulation showed a high binding affinity of ketoprofen with QS regulatory proteins.

Consequently, this study confirmed the quorum quenching activity of ketoprofen, which could be employed as a useful agent for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.