Arenaria serpyllifolia as a Natural Antiviolaceum Agent: Phytochemical, Biological, and Molecular Approaches.

Abstract

This study investigates the antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antiquorum sensing activities of Arenaria serpyllifolia extract. A methanolic extract from the plant's above-ground parts is prepared via maceration. The extract exhibits strong antioxidant properties (DPPH IC₅₀: 355.54 ± 20.62 μg mL^-1) and iron chelating ability (IC₅₀: 5.30 ± 4.44 mg mL^-1). Total flavonoid and phenolic contents are 75.15 ± 2.73 mg quercetin equivalent g^-1 and 150.83 ± 11.24 mg gallic acid equivalent g^-1, respectively. Antimicrobial tests show notable activity against Chromobacterium violaceum (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) < 5 mg mL^-1). Antibiofilm effects are significant with 82.52% and 81.32% inhibition at MIC and sub-MIC levels. The extract also inhibits violacein production in the C. violaceum CV12472 strain (90.76% at MIC). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identifies seven major compounds, including allyl isothiocyanate and levoglucosan. Molecular docking reveals levoglucosan as the most potent CviR receptor binder (-6.8 kcal mol^-1). These interactions suggest possible quorum sensing inhibition via antagonism. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm the stability of the ligand-receptor complexes, highlighting guanosine and levoglucosan as promising leads for drug development.