Unlocking the antibiofilm and anti-virulence potential of <i>Pithecellobium dulce</i> against <i>Chromobacterium violaceum</i> CV12472

<em>Chromobacterium violaceum</em> (<em>C. violaceum</em>) is a Gram‑negative bacterium commonly found in tropical and subtropical environments, such as soil and water. It is known for producing a distinctive violet pigment known as violacein, which is regulated by its quorum sensing (QS) system. The present study examined the compound, <em>Pithecellobium dulce</em> (<em>P. dulce</em>), and its inhibitory effects on the quantity of violacein pigment generated by <em>C. violaceum</em> CV12472. <em>P. dulce</em> is recognized as a potent natural compound with significant inhibitory effects against various pathogens. The present study explored the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of <em>P. dulce</em> (seed and fruit) against <em>C. violaceum</em> CV12472 through a series of in vitro experiments. These experiments included minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests, biofilm inhibition assays, violacein pigment assay and growth curve analysis, providing valuable insight into the potential of <em>P. dulce</em> as a natural therapeutic agent in combating microbial infections. MIC assay revealed that both the seed and fruit extracts effectively inhibited bacterial growth at 20 mg/ml. Furthermore, biofilm inhibition was observed, with <em>P. dulce</em> seed extract significantly reducing biofilm formation by 58.91 and 29.68% at 10 and 5 mg/ml, respectively, without affecting planktonic growth. Additionally, the present study demonstrated that P. dulce seed extract inhibited violacein production by 80.66% at 10 mg/ml, confirming its anti‑QS properties. However, the fruit extract did not exhibit any notable effect on biofilm or pigment production. These findings suggest that <em>P. dulce</em> seed extract disrupts key bacterial survival mechanisms, thus suggesting its potential for use as s natural alternative for managing biofilm‑associated infections caused by antibiotic‑resistant pathogens. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first report of <em>P. dulce</em> seed extract inhibiting QS‑regulated virulence factors in <em>C. violaceum</em>. The findings of the present study highlight the potential use of plant‑based compounds in the fight against antibiotic resistance and bacterial virulence.