Amphibians use their skin as an efficient defense mechanism against predators and microorganisms. Within specialized glands, they produce antimicrobial peptides endowed with antioxidant properties that have demonstrated efficacy in reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. These peptides are considered promising candidates for treating diseases related to oxidative stress (OS). Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), along with age-related conditions like cardiovascular diseases and cancer, have been connected to redox imbalance and the associated ROS. This review explores the characteristics of antioxidant peptides (AOP) identified in amphibians, elucidates their mechanisms of action against molecular targets involved in the diseases above, and provides insights into future prospects.
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Subject: Biology and Life Sciences - Biology and Biotechnology
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