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Review
. 2018 Aug 20;23(8):2080.
doi: 10.3390/molecules23082080.

Natural Cyclic Peptides as an Attractive Modality for Therapeutics: A Mini Review

Muna Ali Abdalla  1   2 , Lyndy J McGaw  3
Affiliations
Review

Natural Cyclic Peptides as an Attractive Modality for Therapeutics: A Mini Review

Muna Ali Abdalla et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Peptides are important biomolecules which facilitate the understanding of complex biological processes, which in turn could be serendipitous biological targets for future drugs. They are classified as a unique therapeutic niche and will play an important role as fascinating agents in the pharmaceutical landscape. Until now, more than 40 cyclic peptide drugs are currently in the market, and approximately one new cyclopeptide drug enters the market annually on average. Interestingly, the majority of clinically approved cyclic peptides are derived from natural sources, such as peptide antibiotics and human peptide hormones. In this report, the importance of cyclic peptides is discussed, and their role in drug discovery as interesting therapeutic biomolecules will be highlighted. Recently isolated naturally occurring cyclic peptides from microorganisms, sponges, and other sources with a wide range of pharmacological properties are reviewed herein.

Keywords: anticancer activity; antimicrobial activity; antiviral activity; clinical trials; cyclic peptides; microorganisms; sponges; therapeutic agents.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Previously discovered naturally occurring cyclic peptides.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Recently isolated antibacterial cyclic peptides.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Recently isolated antifungal cyclic peptides.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Recently isolated anticancer cyclic peptides.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Recently isolated anticancer cyclic peptides.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Recently isolated antiviral cyclic peptides.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Recently isolated antiviral cyclic peptides.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Recently isolated cyclic peptides with diverse biological activities.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Recently isolated cyclic peptides with diverse biological activities.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Recently isolated cyclic peptides with no reported biological activity.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Recently isolated cyclic peptides with no reported biological activity.
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