Ethnobotanical biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles and its downregulation of Quorum Sensing-linked AhyR gene in Aeromonas hydrophila

This study highlights and combines the advantages of quorum sensing inhibition using scientifically untapped medicinal plants, the ethnobotanicals, through an effective drug delivery system, nanotechnology, to develop antivirulence drugs to control aquaculture pathogens. The ethnobotanical extracts and biologically synthesized gold nanoparticles of the Ilongot-Eǵongot community show antibacterial activity against gram-negative Aeromonas hydrophila. The ethnobotanical crude extracts (CEs) and crude extracts + gold nanoparticles (CEs + AuNPs) exhibit Quorum Sensing Inhibition activity through inhibition of the biofilm formation in A. hydrophila. Moreover, ethnobotanical CEs + AuNPs show much greater activity than its counterpart CEs in antibacterial and biofilm formation assay in A. hydrophila. Thus, this study supports the use of biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles to improved drug delivery which indicate the potential of these ethnobotanicals for therapeutic approach in inhibiting bacterial virulence without developing resistance.