Antibacterial, antibiofilm efficacy and molecular docking approach of Sida acuta Burm. f.: a compendious analysis of GC MS profiling, and pharmacokinetics perusal

Abstract Sida acuta Burm. f . has been explored for its antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, not much has been studied regarding the pharmacokinetics, antibiofilm, and molecular docking properties of the Sida acuta leaves against Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ). Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate in- vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of Sida acuta ethanolic leaves extract (SAE) against S. aureus and its pharmacokinetics studies by in silico approach. The crude was extracted by soxhlet extraction using the leaves of Sida acuta . The antibiofilm activity was determined by Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Assay (MBIC), Congo red assay and microscopic analysis. The morphological changes and biofilm inhibition of S. aureus were observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Molecular docking and pharmacokinetics studies were performed for phytocompounds which are further identified by GC–MS. The MBIC was found to be 300 µg/ml where 87% of S. aureus biofilm inhibition was observed. Studies using a light microscope and SEM analysis confirmed the decrease in biofilm development along a concentration dependent manner. Furthermore, the results of the Congo red test (CRA) showed that SAE inhibited the production of slime layer by lowering intracellular adhesion. Eighteen phytochemical compounds in the SAE were identified. Molecular docking studies revealed a highest binding affinity value of − 7.2 kcal/mol for campesterol. The ADME (Absorption, Distribution, metabolism and excretion) profiling for identified phytocompounds exhibit promising pharmacokinetic properties, which makes them possible candidate for therapeutic drug development. These results demonstrate the SAE's potential antibiofilm activity against S. aureus biofilm.