Zeitschrift für antimikrobielle Wirkstoffe

Emerging Antimicrobial Peptides Potential and Challenges in Combating Multidrug Resistant Bacteria

Abstract

Rosinski Adalbert*

Antimicrobial peptides have garnered significant attention as promising agents in the fight against multidrug-resistant bacteria. These naturally occurring molecules, part of the innate immune system across various species, exhibit potent activity against a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even cancer cells. The growing threat of antibiotic resistance has spurred interest in AMPs due to their unique mechanisms of action, broad-spectrum efficacy, and lower propensity for resistance development. However, despite their potential, AMPs face several challenges that must be addressed to fully harness their therapeutic capabilities. AMPs are typically short peptides composed of 10 to 50 amino acids, characterized by their amphipathic structure and positive charge. These structural features enable AMPs to interact with the negatively charged components of microbial membranes, such as phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides.