Leech Macin
Macin-family broad-spectrum antimicrobial protein identified in leech immune tissue and salivary secretome.
Praeklinisch / mechanistischLast updated: 2026-05-26 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- Macin-family broad-spectrum antimicrobial protein identified in leech immune tissue and salivary secretome.
- Evidence level
- In vitro
- Drug vs leech
- Purified natural compound
- Safety domains
- Aeromonas infection
Clinical translation limit
Leech macin's in vitro antimicrobial activity does NOT establish clinical efficacy and does NOT mitigate the documented risk of Aeromonas hydrophila co-infection from whole-leech application. No FDA-approved derivative exists.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Antimicrobial
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 6,000 Da
- Source species
- Hirudo medicinalis
- Discovered
- 2010
Biological Targets
- → Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial membranes
Key Citations
- Tasiemski A et al. (2004), J Biol Chem · PMID 15102860
External Resources
Related Antimicrobial Compounds
Theromacin
Antimicrobial peptide active against Gram-negative bacteria — innate immunity of leech.
Theromyzin
Antimicrobial peptide; structural analogue of mammalian defensin family.
Macrostomin
Antimicrobial peptide active against Gram-positive bacteria — amphipathic alpha-helix.
Hirunipins
Newly-characterized antimicrobial peptide family (Kumar 2025) — candidate next-generation antibiotics against AMR pathogens.