Gold and Silver Nanoparticles as Potent Quorum Quenchers: A Critical Review

Quorum sensing (QS) is a vital mechanism employed by bacteria for cell-to-cell communication, regulating various physiological processes. Recent research has explored the potential of gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs) in modulating QS systems in bacteria, comprehensively examining the current understanding of how these nanoparticles influence QS. The focus is on their mechanisms of action and potential applications in controlling bacterial behaviours, synthesizing findings from both in vitro and in vivo studies. This review highlights the promising role of nanoparticle-based strategies in disrupting QS-mediated bacterial virulence and biofilm formation. With the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and their predominance in medicine, conventional antimicrobial methods, such as antibiotics, face significant challenges. A modern approach involves biosynthesized nanoparticles targeting genes involved in quorum sensing to destabilize their expression, proving to be competent in countering threats posed by bacteria capable of performing quorum sensing to initiate virulence towards the host. The discussed antimicrobial activities of gold and silver nanoparticles extend to several bacterial species, effectively downregulating those genes.