Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is regarded as one of the most acute problems of modern medicine, which needs new approaches to treatment. Quorum sensing (QS) is a complex cell-to-cell communication system in bacteria that controls production of virulence factors, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance, and has become a promising therapeutic target. Quorum sensing inhibition is an anti-virulence mechanism in comparison to traditional antibiotics, which have a high selective pressure, in that bacterial pathogenicity is affected rather than growth itself, which can make them less prone to selective pressure. This review gives a comprehensive argument on molecular quorum sensing, its processes in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, naturally occurring and artificial quorum sensing inhibitors, therapeutic potential of quorum sensing inhibitors based on in vitro and in vivo studies, and the barriers to clinical use. Conclusions: There is some evidence that quorum sensing inhibition particularly using in conjunction with traditional antibiotics has great potential as an alternative approach to multiple drug-resistant bacteria.