Repurposing Finasteride as a quorum sensing inhibitor against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is considered a great problem on a global scale. The decreased supply of antibiotics, newly developed, adds to this problem needing alternatives such as inhibition of quorum sensing-regulated virulence. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic microorganism that leads to hospital acquired infection in critically ill and immunocompromised patients. It is widely found in the environment, particularly in health care settings, and poses a significant risk to human health due to ongoing rise of drug-resistant strains. Quorum sensing inhibitors can reduce bacterial pathogenicity and support the immune system to kill them without targeting the bacterial growth. Finasteride was repurposed to test its potential anti-virulence activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa including biofilm, pyocyanin, protease and swarming motility. Finasteride could significantly decrease biofilm formation by 45%, pyocyanin production was diminished to 49% protease and swarming were decreased by 42% and 39% accordingly. In conclusion, finasteride could be employed in treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.