The rising number of multidrug-resistant microorganisms has triggered interest in the prospection of biocompounds with antimicrobial activities. Synoeca-MP consists of an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) classified as a mastoparan, which was isolated from the venom of Synoeca surinama, a social wasp. Synoeca-MP presented a potent antimicrobial activity, with values of MIC 50 and MIC 90 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-MRSA (1.9 and 2.2 μM), Escherichia coli ESBL (2.0 and 2,1 μM), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (8.3 and 17.1 μM), Pseudomonas aeruginosa metallo-ß-lactamase (5.2 and 5.9 μM), and Klebsiella pneumoniae KPC (3.5 and 4.7 μM). Synoeca-MP was also tested against six Candida species, with MICs varying from 10 to 40 μM. Moreover, the structural prediction for Synoeca-MP demonstrated a cationic α-helix capable of interacting with in silico membranes and low hemolytic activity. Due to its antimicrobial activity, synoeca-MP shows potential as an adjuvant to antibiotics and antifungals commonly used in antibiotic therapies. K E Y W O R D S antimicrobial peptides, pathogenic microorganisms, Synoeca surinama

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Multi-drug resistant microorganisms have been a growing concern during the last decades due to their contribution in mortality rates worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are broad spectrum antimicrobial agents that display potent microbicidal activity against a wide range of microorganisms. AMPs generally have a rapid mode of action that reduces the risk of resistance developing among pathogens. In this study, an AMP derived from scorpion venom, NDBP-5.5, was evaluated against Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense, a rapidly growing and emerging pathogen associated with healthcare infections. The minimal bactericidal concentration of NDBP-5.5, AMP quantity necessary to stop bacteria visible growth, against M. abscessus subsp. massiliense was 200 μM, a concentration that did not induce hemolysis of human red blood cells. The therapeutic index was 3.05 indicating a drug with low toxicity and therefore good clinical potential. Treatment of infected macrophages with NDBP-5.5 or clarithromycin presented similar results, reducing the bacterial load. M. abscessus subsp. massiliense-infected animals showed a decrease in the bacterial load of up to 70% when treated with NDBP-5.5. These results revealed the effective microbicidal activity of NDBP-5.5 against Mycobacterium, indicating its potential as an antimycobacterial agent.

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Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS). Insect venoms show high molecular variability and selectivity in the CNS of mammals and present potential for the development of new drugs for the treatment of PD. In this study, we isolated and identified a component of the venom of the social wasp Parachartergus fraternus and evaluated its neuroprotective activity in the murine model of PD. For this purpose, the venom was filtered and separated through HPLC; fractions were analyzed through mass spectrometry and the active fraction was identified as a novel peptide, called Fraternine. We performed two behavioral tests to evaluate motor discoordination, as well as an apomorphine-induced rotation test. We also conducted an immunohistochemical assay to assess protection in TH+ neurons in the Substantia Nigra (SN) region. Group treated with 10 μg/animal of Fraternine remained longer in the rotarod compared to the lesioned group. In the apomorphine test, Fraternine decreased the number of rotations between treatments. This dose also inhibited dopaminergic neuronal loss, as indicated by immunohistochemical analysis. This study identified a novel peptide able to prevent the death of dopaminergic neurons of the SN and recover motor deficit in a 6-OHDA-induced murine model of PD.