The Preyssler-Type Polyoxotungstate Exhibits Anti-Quorum Sensing, Antibiofilm, and Antiviral Activities

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Besides showing the antibacterial activity of the Preyssler-type polyoxotungstate (POT) P(5)W(30) with the ability to affect MRSA cells, we demonstrated that P(5)W(30) also displays other proprieties, such as anti-quorum sensing and antibiofilm. These are biological activities that are reported for a POT for the first time. Quorum sensing and biofilm facilitate the bacterial colonization, antibiotic resistance and persistence in both the environment and host, and its impairment by POTs can greatly contribute to the control of bacterial infections, such as those caused by multiresistant bacteria. Moreover, antiviral activity was also observed using the enterovirus Qβ. NMR stability studies of P(5)W(30) demonstrate that it remains intact, suggesting its responsibility in the described biological activities. Taken together, our results emphasize the potential biomedical use of POTs, particularly the Preyssler-type POT, to fight antibiotic-resistant MRSA strains and their ability to form biofilm, besides being a promising antiviral agent. ABSTRACT: The increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics has led researchers to find new compounds or find combinations between different compounds with potential antibacterial action and with the ability to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. Polyoxotungstates (POTs) are inorganic clusters that may fulfill that need, either individually or in combination with antibiotics. Herein, we report the ability of the polyoxotungstates (POTs) with Wells-Dawson P(2)W(18), P(2)W(17), P(2)W(15), and Preyssler P(5)W(30) type structures to differently affect Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms, either susceptible or resistant to antibiotics. The compound P(5)W(30) showed the highest activity against the majority of the tested bacterial strains in comparison with the other tested POTs (P(2)W(15), P(2)W(17) and P(2)W(18)) that did not show inhibition zones for the Gram-negative bacteria, A. baumanii I73775, E. coli DSM 1077, E. coli I73194, K. pneumoniae I7092374, and P. aeruginosa C46281). Generally, the results evidenced that Gram-positive bacteria are more susceptible to the POTs tested. The compound P(5)W(30) was the one most active against S. aureus ATCC 6538 and MRSA16, reaching <0.83 mg·mL(−1) (100 μM) and 4.96 mg·mL(−1) (600 μM), respectively. Moreover, it was verified by NMR spectroscopy that the most promising POT, P(5)W(30), remains intact under all the experimental conditions, after 24 h at 37 °C. This prompted us to further evaluate the anti-quorum sensing activity of P(5)W(30) using the biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, as well as its antibiofilm activity both individually and in combination with the antibiotic cefoxitin against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 16 (MRSA16). P(5)W(30) showed a synergistic antibacterial effect with the antibiotic cefoxitin and chloramphenicol against MRSA16. Moreover, the antibiofilm activity of P(5)W(30) was more pronounced when used individually, in comparison with the combination with the antibiotic cefoxitin. Finally, the antiviral activity of P(5)W(30) was tested using the coliphage Qβ, showing a dose-dependent response. The maximum inactivation was observed at 750 μM (6.23 mg·mL(−1)). In sum, P(5)W(30) shows anti-quorum sensing and antibiofilm activities besides being a potent antibacterial agent against S. aureus and to exhibit antiviral activities against enteric viruses.