Amphibian host-defense peptides with potential for Type 2 diabetes therapy – an updated review

Investigations conducted since 2018 have identified several host-defense peptides present in frog skin secretions whose properties suggest the possibility of their development into a new class of agent for Type 2 diabetes (T2D) therapy. Studies in vitro have described peptides that (a) stimulate insulin release from BRIN-BD11 clonal β-cells and isolated mouse islets, (b) display β-cell proliferative activity and protect against cytokine-mediated apoptosis and (c) stimulate production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and inhibit production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. Rhinophrynin-27, phylloseptin-3.2TR and temporin F are peptides with therapeutic potential. Studies in vivo carried out in db/db and high fat-fed mice have shown that twice-daily administration of [S4K]CPF-AM1 and [A14K]PGLa-AM1, analogs of peptides first isolated from the octoploid frog Xenopus amieti, over 28 days lowers circulating glucose and HbA1c concentrations, increases insulin sensitivity and improves glucose tolerance and lipid profile. Peptide treatment produced potentially beneficial changes in the expression of skeletal muscle genes involved in insulin signaling and islet genes involved in insulin secretion in these murine models of T2D. Lead compounds uncovered by the study of frog HDPs may provide a basis for the design of new types of agents that can be used, alone or in combination with existing therapies, for the treatment of T2D.