Human Oral Defensins Antimicrobial Peptides: A Future Promising Antimicrobial Drug

Curr Pharm Des. 2018;24(10):1130-1137. doi: 10.2174/1381612824666180403114615.

Abstract

The nature and structural composition of antimicrobial peptides are derived from their innate immune response and they are active against various bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms. The aim of this paper was to pool up the literature on the features of human oral defensins antimicrobial peptides. The defensins showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and various fungi and viruses. As with their other properties like antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial, human defensins peptides are thought to have a unique amino acid-based structure with Disulphide Bridge which makes them synthesize chemically or naturally with the help of these bacteria. The data contributing in this study was gathered from the research papers published in English language in the last twenty-five years. This literature mainly elaborates the general and analytical characteristics of antimicrobial peptides in the human oral cavity; focusing on the types, biochemistry, and mechanism of action of defensins with its clinical importance.

Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides; defensins; innate immune; oral cavity; peptides; proteins..

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / administration & dosage
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / chemistry
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Defensins / administration & dosage
  • Defensins / chemistry
  • Defensins / pharmacology*
  • Fungi / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Viruses / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Defensins