Application of atractylenolide III in preparation of serratia liquefaciens quorum sensing quenching agent
By using atractylodes lactone III to inhibit Serratia liquefaction, the problems of antibiotic resistance and bacterial toxicity were solved. This achieved effective inhibition of biofilms and virulence factors without inhibiting bacterial growth, providing a safe food-grade antibacterial solution.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NORTHEAST AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing antibiotics face resistance issues when treating Serratia liquefaction, and inhibitors of bacterial quorum sensing systems are difficult to effectively reduce the toxicity of pathogens without inhibiting their growth.
Using atractylodes lactone III as an inhibitor, it was prepared into tablets, capsules, granules, powders, liquid formulations, etc., to target and inhibit the quorum sensing system of Serratia liquefaction, especially the LuxR protein, and inhibit extracellular polysaccharide formation, protease activity, lipase activity and biofilm formation.
At sub-inhibitory concentrations, atractylodes lactone III effectively inhibits biofilm formation and virulence factors in Serratia liquefaction, reduces aggregation and motility, and provides a safe, food-grade antiviral agent that is not prone to inducing drug resistance.
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Figure CN122004286A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of pharmaceutical technology, specifically relating to the application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a quorum quencher for liquefied Serratia marcescens. Background Technology
[0002] Serratia liquefaction is a common foodborne spoilage bacterium that frequently causes spoilage of meat and seafood. Therefore, antimicrobial research in the food industry is most concentrated there. With the widespread clinical use of antibiotics, bacterial resistance has gradually increased. This not only reduces the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics but may also alter the physiological and biochemical characteristics of bacteria, causing them to develop features they did not originally possess, such as impaired drug penetration, the production of drug-inactivating enzymes, and the formation of biofilms, thereby reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics. Currently, antibiotic resistance has become a serious global public health problem.
[0003] In recent years, bacterial quorum sensing (QS) systems have become important targets for researching novel drugs against drug-resistant bacteria. QS is a mode of intracellular or intercellular signal transduction in bacteria. By monitoring the concentration of certain signaling molecules (also known as autoinducible molecules) such as acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL), QS controls and coordinates the behavior of the entire bacterial community, enabling them to respond collectively to environmental stimuli and greatly enhancing the survival ability of the entire bacterial community.
[0004] The pathogenicity of pathogens is regulated by the QS system, which achieves pathogenicity by mediating the expression of pathogenic genes. When the density of pathogenic bacteria reaches a certain level, the pathogens synthesize and release certain signaling molecules that can initiate the expression of related genes and regulate various biological behaviors of the pathogens, such as bioluminescence, toxin production, biofilm formation, and antibiotic production.
[0005] Therefore, finding drugs to inhibit bacterial quorum sensing systems has become an urgent problem for researchers in the field. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to prepare a drug for inhibiting the bacterial quorum sensing system of Serratia liquefaction, thereby providing a drug for inhibiting the bacterial quorum sensing system and reducing the toxicity of pathogens without inhibiting their growth.
[0007] This invention provides the application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a quencher that inhibits the quorum sensing system of Serratia liquefaction.
[0008] This invention provides the application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a quencher that inhibits the formation of extracellular polysaccharides in Serratia liquefiedis.
[0009] This invention provides the application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a quencher that inhibits the activity of extracellular proteases in Serratia liquefaction.
[0010] This invention provides the application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a quencher that inhibits the extracellular lipase activity of Serratia liquefaction.
[0011] This invention provides the application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a quencher that inhibits the production of biofilms from Serratia liquefiedis cells.
[0012] This invention provides the application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a drug that inhibits the aggregation, motility, or biofilm morphology of Serratia liquefiedis.
[0013] Further specifying, the dosage form of the quencher can be any one of tablets, capsules, granules, powders, or liquid preparations.
[0014] Further, the concentration of atractylodes lactone III was specified as 64 μg / mL.
[0015] This invention provides the application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of food preservatives.
[0016] Further, the target was identified as the LuxR protein of Serratia liquefaction quorum sensing.
[0017] Beneficial Effects: This invention verifies a novel application of atractylodes lactone III, a known active ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, targeting LuxR proteins and inhibiting bacterial quorum sensing. It demonstrates that even at sub-inhibitory concentrations, it effectively inhibits biofilm formation and the activity of virulence factors (proteases and lipases, etc.) in food-grade Serratia liquefaction. These independent inhibitors based on food-drug homologous substances provide a variety of innovative and practical candidate solutions for developing safe, precise, and non-resistant food-grade antiviral agents. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 The effect of different concentrations of atractylodes lactone III on the growth curves of Serratia liquefiedifolia; Figure 2 The effects of different concentrations of atractylodes lactone III on extracellular polysaccharide (A), extracellular lipase (B), biofilm formation (C), extracellular protease (D), aggregation (E), and migration (F) of Serratia liquefaction were investigated. Figure 3 Field emission scanning electron microscopy results of Serratia marcescens liquefied after treatment with atractylodes lactone III; Figure 4Figure 1 shows the effect of edible films loaded with atractylodes lactone III on colony count and TVB-N in pork during storage. Note: Different uppercase letters (AD) indicate significant differences between different treatments at the same storage time (P<0.05); different lowercase letters (ad) indicate significant differences between the same treatments at different storage times (P<0.05). Detailed Implementation
[0019] Atractylodes lactone III was purchased from Nanjing Yuanzhi Biotechnology Co., Ltd., batch number Yz121520.
[0020] LuxR protein accession number: purchased from Yuanfeng Chemical, PB87571.
[0021] Example 1: Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration of atractylodes lactone III against Serratia liquefaction and evaluation of its growth effect. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination: Atractylodes lactone III was first dissolved in 60% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to prepare a stock solution of the corresponding concentration, ensuring a final concentration of 2 mg / mL in the first well of a 96-well plate (ensuring the final volume fraction of DMSO was less than 1.5%). A two-fold dilution method was used to establish concentration gradients (10 gradients in total). Serratia liquefaction was cultured to the second generation logarithmic growth phase, and a bacterial suspension was prepared, adjusted to a concentration of 10⁻¹⁰ using sterile culture medium. 7 CFU / mL, ensuring an inoculum density of approximately 10 CFU / mL per well. 4 CFU / mL. The 96-well plates were then incubated in a biochemical incubator for 16–24 h. LB medium without the compound was used as a negative control, and 60% DMSO as a solvent control. The lowest concentration of the compound at which no bacterial growth was observed was the MIC of that substance.
[0022] Growth curve determination: Overnight cultures of liquefied Serratia marcescens were inoculated into LB broth at a 1% (v / v) inoculation ratio. Atractylodes lactone III was added to the broth at final concentrations of 0, 1 / 16 MIC, 1 / 8 MIC, 1 / 4 MIC, and 1 / 2 MIC, respectively. All treatment groups were incubated at 37 °C, and OD values were measured every 2 hours (0–24 h) using visible spectrophotometry, recording the growth curves. 600 value.
[0023] Result: From Figure 1 It can be seen that Serratia liquefiedis can still grow normally after sub-MIC treatment, while the growth of bacteria in the MIC treatment group is restricted. The quorum sensing system may not directly regulate the basal metabolism or growth rate of Serratia liquefiedis.
[0024] Example 2: Effects of quorum sensing quenchers on biofilm formation and virulence factor release in Serratia liquefiedifolia.
[0025] Overnight cultures of liquefied Serratia marcescens were inoculated into LB broth at a rate of 1% (v / v). Atractylodes lactone III was added to the broth at final concentrations of 0, 1 / 16 MIC, 1 / 8 MIC, 1 / 4 MIC, and 1 / 2 MIC (MIC is 250 μg / mL; concentrations are 0, 16.125 μg / mL, 31.25 μg / mL, 62.5 μg / mL, and 125 μg / mL, respectively). None of the selected sub-MIC concentrations showed direct antibacterial activity; the aim was to specifically evaluate its regulatory effect on quorum sensing-mediated virulence phenotypes. All treatment groups were cultured at 37 °C for 24 h, followed by measurements of extracellular polysaccharide production, extracellular protease activity, extracellular lipase activity, motility, and biofilm formation.
[0026] Extracellular polysaccharides: The phenol-sulfuric acid method was used to determine the extracellular polysaccharides. A series of glucose standard solutions were prepared with concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 mg / mL. 1 mL of each standard solution was taken, and 1 mL of 6% (w / v) phenol solution and 5 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid were added sequentially. After thorough vortexing and mixing, the mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 30 min. After cooling, the absorbance (OD) at 490 nm was measured using a microplate reader. 490 Plotting glucose concentration on the x-axis and corresponding OD... 490 The standard curve is plotted with the values on the ordinate, and the regression equation is obtained by fitting the curve with linear regression.
[0027] The extraction procedure for bacterial extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) is as follows: Take 1 mL of bacterial culture, centrifuge at 10000 r / min for 15 min, collect the bacterial precipitate and resuspend it in 0.5 mL of sterile physiological saline, and centrifuge again under the same conditions for 30 min. Take 1 mL of supernatant, add 3 mL of pre-cooled ethanol to precipitate the polysaccharides, vortex for 1 min, and let stand at room temperature for 10 min until a white flocculent precipitate appears; after centrifugation at 8000 r / min for 10 min, take 1 mL of supernatant and perform colorimetric determination according to the same operating steps as the phenol-sulfuric acid method described above. Finally, substitute the values into the regression equation fitted by the standard curve to calculate the content of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) in the sample.
[0028] Extracellular proteases: First, 10 mL of 10% (w / v) skim milk and 90 mL of 1.5% (w / v) agar solution were sterilized at 121 °C for 15 min. After the agar cooled to 55 °C, the skim milk and agar were thoroughly mixed and poured into plates. The bacterial culture was centrifuged at 10,000 × g for 10 min at 4 °C, and 150 μL of the supernatant was added to the wells of a solidified skim milk agar plate perforated using an autoclaved Oxford cup. After incubation at 37 °C for 24 h, the diameter of the clear hydrolysis zone was measured.
[0029] Extracellular lipase: The supernatant of bacterial culture was used as the enzyme solution, with 50 mM p-nitrophenol palmitate (p-NPP) as the substrate (dissolved in isopropanol containing 0.1% gum arabic and 0.4% Triton X-100). The specific reaction system was as follows: 0.1 mL of substrate solution was incubated with 0.5 mL of 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0) at 37 ℃ for 5 min. 50 μL of enzyme solution was added, and the volume was brought to a final volume of 3 mL with the same buffer. The reaction was then carried out at 37 ℃ for 10 min, and immediately terminated with 3 mL of anhydrous ethanol. The absorbance was measured at 410 nm, and the amount of p-NP generated was calculated based on the standard curve. The standard curve used p-nitrophenol (-NP) as a standard, with concentration gradient solutions prepared. OD was measured under the same conditions after terminating the reaction as described above. 410 The concentration-absorbance relationship was established through linear regression.
[0030] Motility: The solid culture medium for migratory motility consisted of 1 g tryptone, 0.5 g sodium chloride, 0.3 g agar, and 100 mL distilled water. The solid culture medium for gregarious motility consisted of 1 g peptone, 0.5 g sodium chloride, 0.3 g agar, 0.5 g D-fructose, and 100 mL distilled water. After preparation, the solid culture media were sterilized at 121 °C for 15 min, incubated at 55 °C, and then the plates were poured. After the agar cooled, 2 μL of culture was spotted in the center of the plate. Finally, the plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h, and the changes on the plates were observed and recorded.
[0031] Biofilm: Overnight cultures of *Serratia marcescens* were inoculated into 24-well plates at a 1% (v / v) inoculation ratio, with each well containing 1 mL of LB broth. Atractylodes lactone III was added at final concentrations of 0, 1 / 16 MIC, 1 / 8 MIC, 1 / 4 MIC, and 1 / 2 MIC, respectively, and the plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. After incubation, the bacterial culture was aspirated from the wells, and the plates were gently rinsed 3-4 times with deionized water to remove any unadhered airborne bacteria. Then, 1 mL of 0.1% (w / v) crystal violet staining solution was added to each well, and staining was performed at room temperature for 10 min. After staining, the plates were repeatedly rinsed with deionized water until the eluent was colorless. After the plates were allowed to air dry, 0.5 mL of 33% glacial acetic acid solution was added to each well to dissolve the stained biofilm. After thorough mixing, the absorbance (OD) of the solution was measured at 595 nm. 595 The amount of biofilm formed is characterized by absorbance values.
[0032] Scanning electron microscopy: Cell slides were placed in 24-well plates containing bacterial culture medium and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. After incubation, the slides were removed, rinsed three times with 0.1 M PBS buffer (pH 7.2), and air-dried under sterile conditions. The slides were then immersed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde fixative and fixed at 4 °C for at least 4 h. After fixation, the slides were rinsed twice with PBS buffer of the same concentration, and then subjected to a gradient dehydration process using 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% ethanol solutions. After dehydration, the slides were first replaced once with a 1:1 volume ratio of 100% ethanol and tert-butanol, and then twice with pure tert-butanol. After drying, the slides were sputter-coated with gold. Finally, the microstructure of the biofilm was observed and recorded using field emission scanning electron microscopy.
[0033] Result: From Figure 2 As can be seen from A, the amount of extracellular polysaccharide formation in the experimental group was reduced by 21.09% and 25.02% compared with the control group, respectively.
[0034] Result: From Figure 2 As shown in B, the extracellular lipase activity in the experimental group was reduced by 67.29% and 60.71% compared with the control group, respectively.
[0035] Result: From Figure 2 As can be seen from C, the amount of biofilm generated in the experimental group was reduced by 21.09% and 25.02% compared with the control group, respectively.
[0036] Result: From Figure 2 As can be seen from D, the protease activity in the experimental group was reduced by 41.32% and 36.89% compared with that in the control group, respectively.
[0037] Result: From Figure 2 E shows that the clustering of the experimental group was reduced by 53.99% and 51.46% compared with the control group, respectively.
[0038] Result: From Figure 2 As can be seen from F, the swimming mobility of the experimental group was reduced by 60.60% and 64.56% compared with that of the control group, respectively.
[0039] Result: From Figure 3 It can be seen that the experimental group showed a reduction in biomembrane, a looser structure, and fewer extracellular metabolites compared to the control group.
[0040] Example 3: Preparation and application of edible films loaded with atractylodes lactone III Preparation of composite membrane loaded with atractylodes lactone III: First, zein-sodium caseinate composite nanoparticles loaded with atractylodes lactone were prepared using an antisolvent method. 1 g of zein was dissolved in 50 mL of 80% (v / v) ethanol aqueous solution and magnetically stirred (600 rpm) at room temperature until completely dissolved. Then, 0.25 g of atractylodes lactone III was added, and the mixture was stirred under the same conditions until fully dissolved. Under magnetic stirring, 10 mL of the zein mixture was slowly added dropwise to 40 mL of sodium caseinate aqueous solution (4 mg / mL). After the addition was complete, stirring was continued for 30 min to allow the zein to self-assemble into nanoparticles. The resulting dispersion was then rotary evaporated at 40 °C to remove the ethanol, followed by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 15 min to remove unencapsulated aggregates and larger particles. The supernatant was collected to obtain the zein-sodium caseinate composite nanoparticle dispersion loaded with atractylodes lactone III.
[0041] Accurately weigh chitosan and dissolve it in a 1% acetic acid (v / v) solution. Stir magnetically (600 rpm) at room temperature until completely dissolved to prepare a 1.0% (w / v) chitosan solution. Separately, prepare a 1.5% (w / v) gelatin solution by heating in a 45 ℃ water bath. Mix the chitosan solution and gelatin solution in equal volumes, add glycerol (0.3%~0.5% of total mass) as a plasticizer, stir evenly, and then add the prepared atractylodes lactone-loaded composite nanoparticle dispersion at a volume ratio of 5:1. Continue stirring for 20 min to ensure thorough mixing. Filter the mixed solution through a 200-mesh filter cloth to remove any possible small amounts of insoluble matter, and allow it to stand at 4 ℃ for 30 min to degas, thus obtaining the composite membrane solution (ZNCA).
[0042] Application of edible films loaded with atractylodes lactone III in fresh pork: 50 g of pork samples were sterilized with ultraviolet light for 30 min. The samples were divided into four treatment groups: ① Control group (C) (blank control); ② Atractylodes lactone III (64 μg / mL) treatment group (ATR); ③ ZNCA (64 μg / mL) treatment group (ZNCA). The pork was stored in trays at 4 ℃. Samples were collected on days 0, 3, 6, and 9 to determine the total viable bacterial count and volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N).
[0043] Colony counting: The colony counting method described in GB / T 4789.2-2016 was used. Plate counting agar was used, and inoculation was performed by pouring the agar plates. Two to three appropriate dilutions were selected based on different fermentation days, and colony counting was performed after incubation at 37 ℃ for 48 h. Each sample was tested in triplicate, and the average value was taken as the final result.
[0044] Volatile basic nitrogen: Determined by semi-micro nitrogen determination method in GB 5009.228—2016 "National Food Safety Standard - Determination of Volatile Basic Nitrogen in Food".
[0045] Result: From Figure 4 It can be seen that, Result: From Figure 4 As can be seen from A, among the different treatment groups with the same storage time, the total number of colonies in the edible film treatment group of atractylodes lactone III was significantly lower than that in the atractylodes lactone III treatment group alone and the control group. With the extension of storage time, the atractylodes lactone III group and the atractylodes lactone edible film III group significantly reduced the increase of the total number of colonies in pork, and the total number of colonies in the edible film group was the lowest.
[0046] Result: From Figure 4 B shows that the addition of atractylodes lactone III can significantly reduce the TVB-N content in pork during storage, and the edible film treatment group of atractylodes lactone III has a stronger effect than the group treated with atractylodes lactone III alone.
Claims
1. Application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of quenchers that inhibit the quorum sensing system of Serratia liquefaction.
2. Application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a quencher that inhibits the formation of extracellular polysaccharides in Serratia liquefiedifolia.
3. Application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of quenchers that inhibit the activity of extracellular proteases in Serratia liquefaction.
4. Application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a quencher that inhibits the extracellular lipase activity of Serratia liquefaction.
5. Application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of a quencher for inhibiting the production of biofilms from Serratia liquefiedis cells.
6. Application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of drugs that inhibit the aggregation, motility or biofilm morphology of Serratia liquefiedis.
7. The application according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The quenching agent can be in any of the following dosage forms: tablets, capsules, granules, powders, or liquid preparations.
8. The application according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The concentration of atractylodes lactone III was 64 μg / mL.
9. Application of atractylodes lactone III in the preparation of food preservatives.
10. The application according to claim 9, characterized in that, The target is the LuxR protein of Serratia liquefaction quorum sensing.