Alternative therapeutic approaches to target microbial multidrug resistance (MDR) have become an important thrust in research. One potential approach to manage antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity in MDR pathogens is through targeting quorum sensing (QS). Blocking the QS system does not affect bacterial growth while preventing bacteria from triggering virulence, reducing pathogenicity and selective pressure to survive, hence, reducing the resistance evolution. Recent ethnopharmacological research highlights the prospects of Philippine ethnobotanicals to discover novel molecules and approaches for targeting the QS system to control diseases and pathogens. In this review, two sets of Philippine ethnobotanicals utilized by ethnic communities - Ikalahan and Ilongot-E?ongot – are highlighted as QS inhibitors. Inhibition of QS-linked virulence factor production such as violacein, biofilm, DNase, α-Hemolysin, swarming motility and coagulase in MDR pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Streptococcus agalactiae, Candida albicans and one QS reporter bacteria, Chromobacterium violaceum by the ethnobotanical extracts are presented. All Philippine ethnobotanicals from the two ethnic communities included in this review showed inhibition on one or more virulence factors highlighting their activities against QS and emphasizes their potential for in-depth research on QS-based drug development for antipathogenesis.
Key words: quorum sensing, virulence factors, ethnobotanicals
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