Antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial activity of plant-based antimicrobial peptides against bacteria

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a class of short, usually positively charged, polypeptides which are widely used to overcome the threat of the antimicrobial resistance. The potential of the AMPs is increasing as a new class of antibiotics. They have a broad range of activity against the gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria, and fungi. Different kinds of plant based AMPs like thionins, defensins, cyclotides, knottins, snakins and some others are discussed in this review with their potential as antimicrobials – such as regulating plant growth and development and treating many human diseases with a great efficacy. Use of AMPs in agriculture and disease treatment is gaining interest. This review also focuses on the mechanism of action of the AMPs and their potential applications in agriculture and human health.