Hirunipin-2
Specific hirunipin variant (Kumar 2025) active against multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii — biofilm eradication, antibiotic synergy, anti-inflammatory in macrophages.
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- Specific hirunipin variant (Kumar 2025) active against multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii — biofilm eradication, antibiotic synergy, anti-inflammatory in macrophages.
- Evidence level
- In vitro
- Drug vs leech
- Purified natural compound
- Safety domains
- Antibiotic stewardship
Clinical translation limit
Hirunipin-2's in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity does NOT establish clinical efficacy. No FDA-approved hirunipin derivative exists; in vitro 'comparable to melittin' framing is a research benchmark, not a clinical milestone.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Antimicrobial
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 3,200 Da
- Source species
- Hirudo medicinalis (secretory cells)
- Discovered
- 2025 · Kumar SD et al.
Biological Targets
- → multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB)
- → bacterial membrane permeability
- → biofilm matrix
Key Citations
- Kumar SD et al. (2025), Adv Sci (Weinh) · PMID 39792785
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.