Harmonine, a defence compound from the harlequin ladybird, inhibits mycobacterial growth and demonstrates multi-stage antimalarial activity.

Christian Rene Röhrich, Che Julius Ngwa, Jochen Wiesner, Henrike Schmidtberg, Thomas Degenkolb, Christian Kollewe, Rainer Fischer, Gabriele Pradel, Andreas Vilcinskas
Author Information
  1. Christian Rene Röhrich: Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany.

Abstract

The harlequin ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis has been introduced in many countries as a biological control agent, but has become an invasive species threatening the biodiversity of native ladybirds. Its invasive success has been attributed to its vigorous resistance against diverse pathogens. This study demonstrates that Harmonine ((17R,9Z)-1,17-diaminooctadec-9-ene), which is present in H. axyridis haemolymph, displays broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that includes human pathogens. Antibacterial activity is most pronounced against fast-growing mycobacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the growth of both chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains is inhibited. Harmonine displays gametocytocidal activity, and inhibits the exflagellation of microgametocytes and zygote formation. In an Anopheles stephensi mosquito feeding model, Harmonine displays transmission-blocking activity.

References

  1. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Feb 13;56(3):1065-71 [PMID: 18193837]
  2. Cell Microbiol. 2011 Jun;13(6):897-912 [PMID: 21501358]
  3. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1993 Jun;48(6):739-41 [PMID: 8333566]

MeSH Term

Alkaloids
Animals
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antimalarials
Cell Line
Coleoptera
Diamines
Escherichia coli
Female
Humans
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Moths
Mycobacteriaceae
Plasmodium falciparum
Species Specificity

Chemicals

Alkaloids
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antimalarials
Diamines

Word Cloud

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