A Review Article on Insect Antimicrobial Peptides: From Innate Immunity to Therapeutic Drug Leads

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 3 | 02 | Page :
By

Harshit Sharma,

Anita Devi,

Sarbjot Singh,

Gaurav Singh,

Aaditya Thakur,

Sheetal Thakur,

Anish Verma,

  1. Student, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Himachal Pharmacy College, Majhauli Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, India
  3. Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Himachal Pharmacy College, Majhauli Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, India
  4. Student, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, India
  5. Student, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, India
  6. Student, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, India
  7. Research Scholar, Department of Pharmacology, Amar Shaheed Baba Ajeet Singh, Jhujhar Singh Memorial College, Bela, Ropar, India

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance to existing antibiotics is increasing, and the emergence of truly new classes of antibacterials is rare. Insects exposed to high pathogen densities for hundreds of millions of years depend in part on a rapid, inducible innate immune system that uses antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These are small, typically cationic, amphipathic peptides mostly produced by the fat body and hemocytes and released in the hemolymph within a few hours of infection. Insect AMPs can be classified into different structures, for example: cecropins, defensins, proline-rich peptides, and glycine-rich peptides. They kill bacteria by a mechanism involving the rupture of their cell membrane and/or by inhibiting activities occurring inside the cell. In addition to fighting bacteria, some AMPs can also attack fungi, viruses, parasites, and cancer cells, as well as helping control the immune system. The review describes how insect AMPs are made and divided into groups, how they destroy bacteria, and whether they could be used as medicines. It covers some of the difficulties in their use, such as their instability, damage to the host cells, the cost of making them, and their complex interactions within the body. It then describes ways of overcoming these problems. Lastly, it lists important research efforts that can enable this promising class of antimicrobials to make the leap from the lab bench to clinical practice.

Keywords: antimicrobial peptides, insect immunity, antibiotic resistance, cecropin, proline-rich peptides

How to cite this article: Harshit Sharma, Anita Devi, Sarbjot Singh, Gaurav Singh, Aaditya Thakur, Sheetal Thakur, Anish Verma. A Review Article on Insect Antimicrobial Peptides: From Innate Immunity to Therapeutic Drug Leads. International Journal of Insects. 2026; 03(02):-.
How to cite this URL: Harshit Sharma, Anita Devi, Sarbjot Singh, Gaurav Singh, Aaditya Thakur, Sheetal Thakur, Anish Verma. A Review Article on Insect Antimicrobial Peptides: From Innate Immunity to Therapeutic Drug Leads. International Journal of Insects. 2026; 03(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/iji/article=2026/view=260498

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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
02
Received 02/10/2026
Accepted 14/10/2026
Published 15/10/2026
Publication Time 13 Days

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