Antimicrobial Peptides as Potential Anti-Tubercular Leads: A Concise Review

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Oliveira, GS (Author) Other; Costa, RP (Author) Other; Paula Gomes (Author) FCUP; Gomes, MS (Author) ICBAS; Silva, T (Author) Other; Catia Teixeira (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Pharmaceuticals

Vol. 14

Final page: 323

ISSN: 1424-8247

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

Scopus - 16 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-QPQ

DOI: 10.3390/ph14040323

Abstract (EN): Despite being considered a public health emergency for the last 25 years, tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the deadliest infectious diseases, responsible for over a million deaths every year. The length and toxicity of available treatments and the increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis renders standard regimens increasingly inefficient and emphasizes the urgency to develop new approaches that are not only cost- and time-effective but also less toxic. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are small cationic and amphipathic molecules that play a vital role in the host immune system by acting as a first barrier against invading pathogens. The broad spectrum of properties that peptides possess make them one of the best possible alternatives for a new "post-antibiotic" era. In this context, research into AMP as potential anti-tubercular agents has been driven by the increasing danger revolving around the emergence of extremely-resistant strains, the innate resistance that mycobacteria possess and the low compliance of patients towards the toxic anti-TB treatments. In this review, we will focus on AMP from various sources, such as animal, non-animal and synthetic, with reported inhibitory activity towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 20