| Summary: | Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are natural biopolymers in the host defense system. AMPs display multiple functions against bacterial, fungal, and viral infection, as well as anticancer properties. AMPs are promising antiviral and anticancer agents. The average size, net charge, and hydrophobicity residue percentage of these AMPs in the Antimicrobial Peptide Database (APD) are 26 amino acids, 3.5 (+), and 48 %, respectively. However, pharmacokinetic disadvantages such as low proteolytic and chemical stability, high cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity, and salt sensitivity inhibit their clinical application. Given the promising effects of AMPs on antiviral and anticancer features, circumventing the drawbacks of AMPs and improving their efficacy are critically important for clinical application. The structure and amino acid components of AMPs can be modified by several methods, including stabilization, hybridization, cyclization, fragmentation, multimerization, alteration of amino acids, and conjugation or ligation. Furthermore, nanotechnologies are effective tools or strategies to improve their functions and reduce side effects. For example, melittin-nano conjugation can improve its therapeutic efficacy and minimize nonspecific cytotoxicity. Clinical trials are waiting to evaluate the efficacy of the delivery system and novel AMPs in antiviral and anticancer treatments.
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