Detection of EF3314 from the Clinical Isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and Assessment on the Antimicrobial Effect of Aegle marmelos Biocompounds: An In vitro and In silico Study

Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis , a Gram-positive diplococcus and a facultative anaerobe, is normally considered the commensal of the gut and microbiome and has recently emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen. EF3314 is a new cell wall species-specific surface anchor protein that has been associated with the establishment of systemic infections. This study has applied the in vitro and computational approach to characterize the EF3314 from the clinical isolates of E. faecalis and on the antimicrobial effect of Aegle marmelos biocompounds, respectively. Materials and Methods: E. faecalis was isolated and identified from 20 root caries samples by standard microbiological procedures and EF3314 was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Crude methanolic extract of varying concentrations was assessed for its antimicrobial effect by disc diffusion method. Further in silico docking analysis was applied to evaluate the inhibitory property of the six biocompounds from A. marmelos. Results: E. faecalis was identified from 10 root caries samples (50%; n = 20) and EF3314 was detected from two strain strains (20%). Crude extract of A. marmelos showed promising antibacterial activity against the strains and imperatorin was considered as the best compound with a high binding energy (−9.21) and hydrogen bond under in silico analysis. Conclusion: The present study highlights the promising inhibitory effect against EE3314-producing strains of E. faecalis and it requires further validation for its toxicity and efficacy in vivo .