Anti-Quorum-Sensing Techniques: A Potential Strategy to Manage Antibiotic Resistance

Science’s most potent invention for combating bacterial illnesses is antibiotics. However, careless use of antibiotics at higher doses has increased the resistance of hostile pathogens to antibiotics. Bacterial intra- and intercellular communication mechanisms known as quorum sensing (QS) can detect the development of microbial pathogenic features, such as the generation of virulence factors and biofilm formation. Quorum sensing (QS) regulates the virulence factors of bacteria using cell-to-cell signaling networks with the help of autoinducers (AIs). During the stationary phase, tiny signaling molecules called AIs are created. These molecules serve as mirrors that reflect the inoculum’s density and control the expression of bound genes once bacterial cultures reach a particular growth stage. Most bacteria can use both types to modify the target gene’s expression. However, Gram-positive bacteria use the peptide derivatives of these signaling molecules, whereas Gram-negative bacteria use the fatty acid derivatives. Because of this, we must prevent quorum sensing, which is accomplished through various types of quorum-sensing inhibitors (QSIs). Natural and synthetic QSIs are essential for inhibiting QS. This chapter provides a general introduction, mechanisms, and a few examples of QSIs, including synthetic and natural sources. It further concentrates on the utilization of QSIs in various domains and the suppression of QS processes. They also highlight the recently authorized patent on discovering new bioactive agents, analogues, and approaches interfering with QS signaling.