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Antimicrobial peptides as antimicrobials for wound care management: A comprehensive review

2024; Elsevier BV; Volume: 95; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jddst.2024.105570

2588-8943

Kunal Agam Kanaujia, Nidhi Mishra, P.S. Rajinikanth, Shubhini A. Saraf,

Protein Hydrolysis and Bioactive Peptides

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are low-molecular-weight proteins having a presence in almost all organisms, from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, and have been a fundamental part of the innate immune system. The AMPs primarily have cationic charges and amphipathic structures. This positive charge leads to electrostatic interactions between the AMPs and the anionic phospholipidic microbial cellular membrane. Besides their inherent antimicrobial properties, AMPs control inflammatory and immunological responses and stimulate wound healing. AMPs can prevent skin infections and facilitate skin tissue regeneration. Even though they have clear advantages over traditional antibiotics, their wide use in therapeutic interventions is constrained by apprehensions regarding toxicity, stability, and the expense involved. Current breakthroughs in nanotechnology have sparked interest in unlocking the enormous potential of AMPs as anti-biofilm agents and broad-spectrum antibiotics to counter the possibilities of bacteria developing resistance. Utilizing AMPs topically encourages keratinocyte and fibroblast migration, dramatically speeding up wound healing. Leveraging nanotechnological techniques to deliver AMPs eradicates the major associated challenges, enabling a controlled delivery with required activity. This review emphasizes the potential therapeutic prospects and the challenges in successfully bringing AMPs to the clinic. Further, several types, attributes, and formulation approaches are highlighted to enable AMP utilization in wound management.