Therapeutic Effect of Modified Oligopeptides from the Beetle Allomyrina dichotoma on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection in Mice

Abstract

Anti-bacterial activity of two synthesized oligopeptides, RLYLRIGRR-NH₂ (peptide A) and RLRLRIGRR-NH₂ (peptide B), both which based on a putative active site of defensin, an anti-bacterial peptide from the beetle Allomyrina dichotoma, was examined by macroscopic and histopathologic assessment during the course of infection in mice inoculated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vivo. Both peptides A and B decreased the mortality of mice inoculated with MRSA. Peptides A and B decreased the macroscopical and histopathological lesions by MRSA infection in mice even seven days after the challenge. The anti-bacterial activity of peptides A and B has a therapeutic effect on MRSA infection in mice even seven days after being challenged.