Unveiling the potential of antimicrobial peptides to combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a severe disease that causes considerably high morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income developing nations. The causative agent of TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), has evolved medication resistance, which has hampered the treatment of TB. The need for new anti-TB medications has been driven by the growth of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) mycobacterial strains, resistance to current medicines, and a rising financial burden. In this context, antimycobacterial peptides obtained from diverse sources, including human cells, bacteria, mycobacteriophages, plants, and animals, may serve as potential antituberculosis agents. This is because the majority of these peptides exhibit dual benefits, namely, bactericidal activity against Mtb and immunoregulatory properties. AMPs are strong contenders for alternative therapeutic alternatives or adjuvants in TB treatment because some of the peptides have the added benefit of interacting synergistically with antituberculosis drugs as well, improving their efficacy. This review highlights AMPs' potential modes of action, benefits, and drawbacks compared to traditional antibiotics, as well as how to solve usage-related issues to increase their therapeutic potential. We also discuss the difficulties in translating benchside research to the bedside, assess the state of the development pipeline, and examine the anticipated socioeconomic effects worldwide.