Evaluation of antibacterial activity of 3-formylchromone against Acinetobacter baumannii with molecular docking insights on a biofilm-associated proteins

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) opportunistic pathogen associated with severe nosocomial infections and robust biofilm
formation, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In the present study, the antibacterial potential of 3-formylchromone (3-FC) was evaluated
against a clinical isolate of A. baumannii, along with in-silico analysis targeting biofilm-associated proteins. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed a multidrugresistant profile, with sensitivity observed only to tetracycline. The antibacterial activity of 3-FC was assessed using agar well diffusion, which demonstrated a
zone of inhibition of 21 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3-FC was determined to be 0.312 mg/mL using a broth microdilution method. At
sub-MIC levels, 3-FC did not significantly affect bacterial metabolic activity, as confirmed by the Alamar Blue assay. Molecular docking studies revealed favorable
binding interactions of 3-FC with key biofilm-associated proteins, including OmpA and BfmR. These findings suggest that 3-FC exhibits promising antibacterial
and may be a potential antibiofilm activity against MDR A. baumannii. Further studies are required to validate its mechanism of action and explore its therapeutic
applicability.