Hydrogel-Delivered Standardized Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Extract Suppresses Quorum Sensing and Disrupts the Biofilm Structure in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Authors

Sheng Lu, Xiaoqian Wei, Siyu Jiang, Danqi Wang, Xiao Liu, Yufeng Hu, Ying Chen, Hang Ma, Ping Ding, Tianhan Kai

Published in

ACS applied bio materials. Sep 08, 2026. Epub Sep 08, 2026.

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel is a rich source of polyphenols with recognized bioactivities. This study evaluated the quorum sensing (QS)-inhibitory and anti-biofilm properties of a standardized pomegranate extract, as well as its major ellagitannins (punicalagin and ellagic acid), against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an important opportunistic pathogen associated with multidrug-resistant infections. Using the P. aeruginosa strain (ATCC 27853) and the QS biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum, the pomegranate extract and punicalagin (MIC = 0.5 and 0.1 mg/mL, respectively) suppressed the production of QS-regulated virulence factors (pyocyanin >80%, rhamnolipids >60%), inhibited bacterial motility, and disrupted biofilm formation (>70%) without inducing resistance. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated the favorable cytocompatibility of the extract in mammalian cells. To enable localized delivery, a mechanically robust polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan (PVA-CS) hydrogel was developed. Structural characterization revealed a porous, hydrogen-bond-stabilized structure with enhanced thermal stability, favorable swelling behavior, and excellent moisture retention. Under simulated infection conditions, the extract-loaded hydrogel (P3C2P) significantly inhibited bacterial growth, attenuated virulence production, and suppressed both motility and biofilm formation. These findings demonstrate a triple-action anti-infective mechanism-mediated by punicalagin, which concurrently targets virulence, motility, and biofilm formation. This work establishes a natural product-based hydrogel platform with significant translational potential for wound management and antimicrobial applications.

PMID:
42709980
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 09 Sep 2026.

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