Abstract
The discovery of novel antimicrobials from animal species under pollution is an area untapped. Chinese red-headed centipede is one of the hardiest arthropod species commonly known for its therapeutic value in traditional Chinese medicine. Here we determined the antibacterial activity of haemolymph and tissue extracts of red-headed centipede, Scolopendra subspinipes against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Lysates exhibited potent antibacterial activities against a broad range of bacteria tested. Chemical characterization of biologically active molecules was determined via liquid chromatography mass spectrometric analysis. From crude haemolymph extract, 12 compounds were identified including: (1) l-Homotyrosine, (2) 8-Acetoxy-4-acoren-3-one, (3) N-Undecylbenzenesulfonic acid, (4) 2-Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, (5) 3H-1,2-Dithiole-3-thione, (6) Acetylenedicarboxylate, (7) Albuterol, (8) Tetradecylamine, (9) Curcumenol, (10) 3-Butylidene-7-hydroxyphthalide, (11) Oleoyl Ethanolamide and (12) Docosanedioic acid. Antimicrobial activities of the identified compounds were reported against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, that possibly explain centipede’s survival in harsh and polluted environments. Further research in characterization, molecular mechanism of action and in vivo testing of active molecules is needed for the development of novel antibacterials.
Highlights
Given the increasing burden of bacterial infections and multiple-drug resistant bacteria, there is an urgent need for the development of novel antimicrobials (Tacconelli et al 2018)
We showed the presence of potent antibacterial molecules in cockroaches against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and neuropathogenic Escherichia coli K1 (Lee et al 2011; Ali et al 2016)
Bacterial cultures Eight clinical isolates were tested in this study, among which MRSA (Malaysian Type Culture Collection MTCC 381123), Bacillus cereus (MTCC 131621) and Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 49399) were Gram-positive; while, Escherichia coli K1 (MTCC 710859), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (American Type Culture Collection ATCC 10145), Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC 13883), Salmonella enterica (ATCC 14028) and Serratia marcescens (ATCC 13880) were Gram-negative
Summary
Given the increasing burden of bacterial infections and multiple-drug resistant bacteria, there is an urgent need for the development of novel antimicrobials (Tacconelli et al 2018). Ali et al AMB Expr (2019) 9:95 species (Census of Marine Life) Classes such as fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals comprises a huge diversity of terrestrial, marine and aquatic fauna (Science daily 2011). Distributed in East Asian countries, they are large with the maximum length of 20 cm and feeds primarily on insects, arachnids and small vertebrate animals, and encounter pathogens in their natural habitat (Bush et al 2001). They must have developed mechanisms to counter infections. We aim to determine antibacterial activity of S. subspinipes against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and to identify biological molecule(s) using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
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