Antibacterial Activity of Herbal Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata extracts on Pseudomonas aeruginosa with emphasis on Exotoxin A gene expression and Bioinformatics approach

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination could be a significant cause of dismalness in burns patients. To detect the antibacterial potentials of Plantago lanceolata and Plantago major extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and assess their potential to control the toxA gene expression with a bioinformatics approach. The antibacterial sensitivity test, MIC, and MBC were performed. The expression value of toxA was evaluated using a qPCR assay. A molecular dynamics simulation and toxicity risk assessment were done. Results indicated a remarkable antibacterial activity of the crude extracts compared to other fractionated plant extracts. The mean zone of inhibition ranges up to 16mm (P. major, 1000 mg/mL) and 20 mm (P. lanceolata, 1000 mg/ml) against P. aeruginosa. Water extract showed the inhibition zone, while the Petroleum ether and chloroform did not show any inhibition activity. Tox-A gene expression value had been significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at the most concentrations of both plants. Molecular docking and toxicity risk assessment revealed that luteolin ligand (LD50: 5000 mg/kg) with a lower toxicity dose could be a potential drug for treating P. aeruginosa infections. Findings revealed that the crude extract of both plants has possible antibacterial activity and could be considered against P. aeruginosa pathogenicity. Furthermore, Luteolin might be a helpful drug for treating P. aeruginosa infections.