Important Roles and Potential Uses of Natural and Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) in Oral Diseases: Cavity, Periodontal Disease, and Thrush

Abstract

Numerous epithelial cells and sometimes leukocytes release AMPs as their first line of defense. AMPs encompass cationic histatins, defensins, and cathelicidin to encounter oral pathogens with minimal resistance. However, their concentrations are significantly below the effective levels and AMPs are unstable under physiological conditions due to proteolysis, acid hydrolysis, and salt effects. In parallel to a search for more effective AMPs from natural sources, considerable efforts have focused on synthetic stable and low-cytotoxicy AMPs with significant activities against microorganisms. Using natural AMP templates, various attempts have been used to synthesize sAMPs with different charges, hydrophobicity, chain length, amino acid sequence, and amphipathicity. Thus far, sAMPs have been designed to target Streptococcus mutans and other common oral pathogens. Apart from sAMPs with antifungal activities against Candida albicans, future endeavors should focus on sAMPs with capabilities to promote remineralization and antibacterial adhesion. Delivery systems using nanomaterials and biomolecules are promising to stabilize, reduce cytotoxicity, and improve the antimicrobial activities of AMPs against oral pathogens. Nanostructured AMPs will soon become a viable alternative to antibiotics due to their antimicrobial mechanisms, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, low drug residue, and ease of synthesis and modification.

Expression of TNF‐α, omentin‐1, and IL‐6 before and after adjunctive treatment with a bioactive antimicrobial peptide periodontal gel

“…Dong et al 18 reported that biological antibacterial polypeptide periodontal gel significantly improved the clinical signs of patients with peri‐implant inflammation. Luong et al 19 presented that AMPs effectively treated periodontitis. In our study, the total effective rate of the study group was greatly higher than that of the control group after treatment ( p < 0.05), which was consistent with earlier studies, 18,19 indicating the curative effect of periodontitis was improved after the adjuvant treatment of biological antibacterial polypeptide periodontal gel.…”

“…Luong et al 19 presented that AMPs effectively treated periodontitis. In our study, the total effective rate of the study group was greatly higher than that of the control group after treatment ( p < 0.05), which was consistent with earlier studies, 18,19 indicating the curative effect of periodontitis was improved after the adjuvant treatment of biological antibacterial polypeptide periodontal gel. In vitro experiments supported by Xie et al 20 showed that the biological antibacterial polypeptide periodontal gel reached the maximum bactericidal effect and minimum cytotoxic effect within the concentration range of 10–20 mg/L, without affecting the formation of alveolar bone.…”

Managing Helicobacter pylori infection: transitioning from conventional to alternative treatment approaches

“…They interact with microbial cell membranes, leading to cell lysis. Synthetic AMP analogs have exhibited anti-H. pylori activity [37,38]. AMPs produced by gastric epithelial cells regulate the bacterial population in the stomach, but H. pylori has evolved resistance mechanisms [39][40][41].…”

“…Despite their effectiveness, H. pylori has evolved specific resistance mechanisms against host AMPs. The development of new synthetic AMP analogues and further research is actively underway [37,38,[48][49][50].…”

Polycaprolactone Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane with Sustained Chlorohexidine Release Capability against Oral Pathogens

“…These microorganisms are mostly responsible for the two types of oral disorders, dental caries, and gingival bleeding/periodontitis. Dental caries and periodontitis are not caused by a single causal pathogen, instead by a polymicrobial community that functions synergistically [2,3]. Dental disorders may induce systemic, cardiovascular, and brain diseases if not addressed promptly [4,5].…”