Gayatri Singh, Kachave Mukund R, Gyansagar Kushwah, Kaldate Akash R, Rajesh Kumar Bochlya, Lingayat Swarup S and Mahendra Singh Kushwah
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a critical global health challenge, with multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens rendering many antibiotics ineffective. This crisis is exacerbated by excessive antibiotic usage and limited advancements in new antimicrobial therapies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising solution due to their unique mechanisms of action, which make them less prone to resistance. Derived from natural sources, AMPs target pathogens through membrane disruption and intracellular interference, offering broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. However, bacterial adaptations such as reduced permeability, efflux pump overexpression, and protease secretion pose challenges to AMP efficacy. Recent research has focused on enhancing AMP stability, specificity, and resistance to bacterial defenses using advanced peptide engineering and bioinformatics tools. This review explores AMR mechanisms, the structure-function relationship of AMPs, and their therapeutic potential in combating resistant pathogens. It also highlights the integration of AMPs in combination therapies and predictive resistance models to optimize their clinical application. Despite their promise, widespread AMP adoption requires strategic management to prevent resistance development. Addressing AMR in developing countries through public education, healthcare reform, and equitable AMP access is critical to mitigating its global impact. By leveraging advances in biotechnology and resistance prediction, AMPs represent a vital avenue in the fight against AMR.
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