title: Development of novel therapeutic drugs in humans from plant antimicrobial peptides.
abstract: All living organisms, ranging from microorganisms to plants and mammals, have evolved mechanisms to actively defend themselves against pathogen attack. A wide range of biological activities have been attributed to plant antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) including growth inhibitory effects on a broad range of fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, neoplasic cells and parasitic protozoa. Classes of AMPs, their mechanisms of action, biological activity, and cytotoxicity towards host cells are discussed. A particular focus regards AMP candidates with potential for use in defense against biological warfare agents. This field is young, but provides additional stimulus to consideration of these molecules as a new class of therapeutic agents and promises to revolutionize treatment of many infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Group of Research in Therapeutical Innovation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50.670-901, Recife - Pernambuco - Brazil. mgrpitta.nupit@ufpe.br
authors.forename: Maira Galdino
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: da Rocha Pitta
authors.forename: Marina Galdino
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: da Rocha Pitta
authors.forename: Suely Lins
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Galdino
mesh_terms: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004194:Disease; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides