Activity of Anti-Microbial Peptides (AMPs) against Leishmania and Other Parasites: An Overview

Abstract

Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs), small biologically active molecules, produced by different organisms through their innate immune system, have become a considerable subject of interest in the request of novel therapeutics. Most of these peptides are cationic-amphipathic, exhibiting two main mechanisms of action, direct lysis and by modulating the immunity. The most commonly reported activity of AMPs is their anti-bacterial effects, although other effects, such as anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic, as well as anti-tumor mechanisms of action have also been described. Their anti-parasitic effect against leishmaniasis has been studied. Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease. Currently among parasitic diseases, it is the second most threating illness after malaria. Clinical treatments, mainly antimonial derivatives, are related to drug resistance and some undesirable effects. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic agents has become a priority, and AMPs constitute a promising alternative. In this work, we describe the principal families of AMPs (melittin, cecropin, cathelicidin, defensin, magainin, temporin, dermaseptin, eumenitin, and histatin) exhibiting a potential anti-leishmanial activity, as well as their effectiveness against other microorganisms.

Effects of Antimicrobial Peptide Microcin C7 on Growth Performance, Immune and Intestinal Barrier Functions, and Cecal Microbiota of Broilers

“…Antimicrobial peptides have broad-spectrum activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria (64,65), fungi (66), eukaryotic parasites (67), and viruses (68) in vitro (69). Previous researchers demonstrated that antimicrobial peptides maintain the equilibrium of intestinal microecology by suppressing harmful pathogens and promoting proliferation of beneficial microorganisms in vivo, which improved intestinal health.…”

Cell-Penetrating Antimicrobial Peptides with Anti-Infective Activity against Intracellular Pathogens

“…The anti-leishmanicidal activity was observed in the Leishmania significant strain and exhibited a dose-dependent effect on promastigotes, in addition to demonstrating substantial effects on amastigotes [ 77 ]. As recently reviewed, the effectiveness of the members of the principal families of AMPs exhibiting a potential anti-leishmanial activity is discussed [ 78 ].…”

A Critical Overview of Interleukin 32 in Leishmaniases

“…In the absence of IL-32γ, the infection index increased, which was attributed to the decreased levels of iNOS/NO (nitric oxide) and antimicrobial peptides (β-defensin-2 and cathelicidin). Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROS) and antimicrobial peptides are reported to kill Leishmania ( 74 , 75 ). Accordingly, IL-32γ overexpression led to better parasite control together with increased production of microbicidal molecules ( Figure 1A ) ( 10 ).…”