In recent years, the widespread use of conventional antibiotics has led to many
microbial pathogens becoming resistant to these antibiotics. Therefore, the develop-
ment of novel and alternative therapeutic strategies for controlling and reducing the
effects of these pathogens is urgently needed. Studies have shown that antimicrobial
peptides (AMPs) and proteins are important members of the host defense system in
eukaryotes. These peptides are potent agentswith broad-spectrumactivity againstmany
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In this review, we discuss the diversity, the
broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and related properties of AMPs that could be
exploited for their application as potential drug candidates in therapeutic strategies
against multiresistant pathogens.
