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Hexanedioic acid from H ermetia illucens larvae ( D iptera: S tratiomyidae) protects mice against K lebsiella pneumoniae infection
Author(s) -
Chu KiBack,
Jeon GyeChang,
Quan FuShi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
entomological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1748-5967
pISSN - 1738-2297
DOI - 10.1111/1748-5967.12043
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology , in vitro , bacteria , biochemistry , pharmacology , genetics
The antibacterial effects of larval extract from H ermetia illucens , commonly known as the black soldier fly, have been demonstrated in vitro. In this study, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis identified the active compound within this larval extract as hexanedioic acid. The antibacterial effects of hexanedioic acid were investigated in mice infected with K lebsiella pneumoniae. After administration of hexanedioic acid, infected mice showed decreased lung bacterial loads and lower rates of body weight loss compared to those in the infection‐only control group. Based on lung bacterial loads, oral hexanedioic acid treatment showed better protection than intraperitoneal treatment. Histopathology confirmed that daily administration of hexanedioic acid for 10 days showed zero toxicity to the kidneys or livers of mice. Therefore, hexanedioic acid may be a novel antibacterial agent.