Phytomedicines Targeting Antibiotic Resistance through Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation Associated with Acne Vulgaris

Acne affects 9% of the world’s population, making it the eighth-most prevalent disease worldwide. Although not life-threatening, it has severe physiological implications, affecting the overall well-being of the patient. The World Health Organization has raised awareness on the threat of antibiotic resistance to the global health system. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is due to the ability of bacteria to form a biofilm. Quorum sensing is an inter-and-intraspecies form of communication through the release of signaling molecules. Once a critical concentration of the signaling molecules has been reached, it results in the expression and repression of target genes. This results in biofilm formation and the release of virulence factors. Acne-causing bacteria can release quorum-sensing molecules that could contribute to antibiotic resistance. This chapter discusses antibiotic resistance and quorum-sensing targets associated with acne vulgaris. Furthermore, this chapter explores the ability of plants and their compounds to target antibiotic resistance associated with acne vulgaris. Among several plants and plant-derived compounds investigated, curcumin isolated from Curcuma longa and quercetin isolated from various plant species has shown significant antibacterial, autoinducer-2 and biofilm-inhibitory activity against acne-causing bacteria. These compounds have the potential to be allies in targeting antibiotic resistance associated with acne vulgaris.