01787nas a2200217   4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653003100086653001900117653001300136653001800149653001500167100001100182700001300193245009800206856007300304300000900377490000700386520116200393022001401555       2024                            d  bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aNeglected tropical disease10aAntimicrobials10aPeptides10aAntiparasitic10aInfections1 aLim JY1 aYeong KY00aNature-derived Peptides as Promising Antiparasitic Agents against Neglected Tropical Diseases  uhttps://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10989-024-10626-6.pdf  a1-440 v303 a<p>Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of at least 20 infectious diseases that primarily affect tropical regions. Despite impacting 1.6&nbsp;billion people worldwide, these diseases have not received adequate global priority and attention. Currently, NTDs caused by protozoa have limited therapeutic options, and the emergence of drug-resistant strains further exacerbates the situation. In recent years, several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as potential therapeutic candidates against NTDs. This review analyzes the contemporary trends of AMPs, explores their antiparasitic properties, and mechanisms of action against three parasitic protozoan NTDs: Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis and one parasitic helminth NTD: lymphatic filariasis. Furthermore, notable drawbacks associated with AMPs are highlighted, and future research directions are proposed. Overall, this review points out the potential of AMPs as therapeutic agents for these three protozoan neglected tropical diseases and one parasitic helminth NTDs as well as emphasizes the imperative need for continued research in this field.</p>
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