Anti-virulence potential of eugenyl acetate against pathogenic bacteria of medical importance

Considering the role of virulence factors in bacterial pathogenicity, interfering with the virulence factor production could afford a novel way for the treatment of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria. In the present study, an effect of eugenyl acetate (EA), a well-known phytochemical from Syzygium aromaticum (clove bud) was assessed for its anti-virulence potential against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. Eugenyl acetate at 150 µg/ml, significantly inhibited virulence factor production such as pyocyanin and pyoverdin by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 up to 9.4 (P < 0.01) and 3.7 fold (P < 0.01), respectively. In addition, protease activity of P. aeruginosa was significantly reduced upon treatment with EA (P < 0.05). The test compound (150 µg/ml) lowered haemolytic activity of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 up to tenfold (P < 0.01). Furthermore, a decrease in staphyloxanthin pigment production was observed when S. aureus cells were treated with increasing concentrations of EA (37.5–150 µg/ml). The test compound at 75 µg/ml exhibited quorum sensing inhibitory potential in inhibiting violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum DMST 21761 up to 27.7 fold (P < 0.01). Thus, results of the present work reveal the potential of EA as an alternative candidate to control pathogenicity of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms.