title: Harmonine, a defence compound from the harlequin ladybird, inhibits mycobacterial growth and demonstrates multi-stage antimalarial activity.
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.
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian Rene
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Röhrich
authors.forename: Che Julius
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ngwa
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiesner
authors.forename: Henrike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmidtberg
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Degenkolb
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kollewe
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pradel
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vilcinskas
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000737:chemistry*; D003959:Diamines / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009036:Moths / Q000166:cytology; D009159:Mycobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000962:Antimalarials; D003959:Diamines