Plant antimicrobial peptides as potential anticancer agents

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:735087. doi: 10.1155/2015/735087. Epub 2015 Mar 1.

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are part of the innate immune defense mechanism of many organisms and are promising candidates to treat infections caused by pathogenic bacteria to animals and humans. AMPs also display anticancer activities because of their ability to inactivate a wide range of cancer cells. Cancer remains a cause of high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, the development of methods for its control is desirable. Attractive alternatives include plant AMP thionins, defensins, and cyclotides, which have anticancer activities. Here, we provide an overview of plant AMPs anticancer activities, with an emphasis on their mode of action, their selectivity, and their efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclotides / therapeutic use
  • Defensins / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects*
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Plants / chemistry
  • Thionins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cyclotides
  • Defensins
  • Thionins