Antimicrobial peptides: As an emerging alternative to combat drug resistant

Abstract

The increasing resistance toward conventional antibiotics suggests that, without urgent action, we are now in “post-antibiotic era,” in which the formerly effective therapeutic strategies are no longer relevant. Due to the limited number of available antibiotics, and the similarities in their activity spectrum as well as mode of action, intensive nonclinical and clinical research is now invested into identification of new and non-conventional anti-infective therapies, including adjunctive or preventive approaches such as antibodies targeting a virulence factor, probiotics, and vaccines. Interestingly, the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have rapidly captured attention as novel drug candidates. Virtually AMPs have been found in all organisms and they display remarkable structural and functional diversity. Along with direct antimicrobial activity, AMPs also carry immunomodulatory properties, which make them especially interesting compounds for the development of novel therapeutics. Present review focuses on the structure, mode of action, limitations and strategies to overcome the shortcoming.