The authors summarise decades of research showing that AMPs – short-chain proteins found naturally in organisms from frogs to humans – have broad antimicrobial activity and can also influence tissue repair by modulating inflammation, stimulating collagen deposition and promoting angiogenesis.

In the context of wound dressings, AMPs have been embedded into hydrogels, nanofibres, foams and dressings that allow sustained release of the peptide, providing both antimicrobial protection and regenerative support. This dual action is especially relevant for chronic wounds, burns or heavily contaminated lesions where infection and impaired healing go hand in hand.  

Among key findings, the review highlights laboratory and animal studies showing that AMP-loaded dressings reduce bacterial load (often by > 99 % in models of Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa), accelerate re-epithelialisation rates (sometimes by 20-40 %), increase angiogenic markers such as VEGF and elevate collagen I and III deposition compared with non-AMP controls.

The authors caution that while the antimicrobial efficacy is well-established, translation into human clinical data remains limited, especially regarding long-term outcomes, biocompatibility and comparative cost-effectiveness against standard dressings.  

For practitioners and product developers in dermatology and wound care, this review signals that AMP-enhanced dressings offer a promising “two-in-one” approach – both infection control and tissue regeneration – while avoiding live-cell therapies entirely. Because these treatments rely on peptides rather than whole cells, they bypass many of the regulatory hurdles associated with cell therapies.

Still, the authors stress the need for standardised peptide sourcing, release-kinetics optimisation, and long-term safety data before widespread clinical adoption.