Send Orders for Reprints to reprints@benthamscience.ae Open Pharmaceutical Sciences Journal, 2016, 3, 131-137 131 1874-8449/16 2016 Bentham Open Open Pharmaceutical Sciences Journal Content list available at: www.benthamopen.com/PHARMSCI/ DOI: 10.2174/1874844901603010131 REVIEW ARTICLE Protease Inhibitors as Ad-hoc Antibiotics Tooba Naz Shamsi and Sadaf Fatima * Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025, India Received: December 08, 2015 Revised: April 26, 2016 Accepted: April 27, 2016 Abstract: Background: Proteases are important enzymes that can degrade proteins and are found in animals, plants, bacteria, fungi and viruses. The action of proteases can be controlled by Protease Inhibitors (PIs), chemical or proteinaceous in nature that can block the active site of protease. Since the step catalyzed by proteases may play important role in life cycle of microbes, hindering the action of proteases by PIs may act as therapeutic intervention for microbial infection. Material and Methods: A thorough study was performed and wide range of literature was surveyed to confirm our results of PIs showing antibacterial activity. Results: PIs have shown to be effective drugs against bacterial pathogens, pathogenic viruses- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Herpes virus, Hepatitis Virus. PIs have recently been investigated for controlling protozoan parasites. Clinical value of proteases and their inhibitors has been studied in Helicobacter pylori which is the etiologic agent of gastritis. Conclusion: This review is intended to highlight the role of PIs in the Battle against Microbial Pathogens. Keywords: Antibacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-protozoal, Antimicrobial, Hepatitis C Virus, Herpes Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Protease Inhibitor. INTRODUCTION Proteases are protein digestive enzymes, also known by the terms as peptidase or proteinase which are prevalent in all plants, animals and most of the microorganisms [1]. They play a crucial role in many biological processes like birth, life, aging, and death; hence performing a pivotal role in survival and maintenance of the organism [ 2 - 10]. They constitute about 2% of the human genome and 1-5% of genomes of the infectious organism [11]. The proteolytic events catalyzed by these enzymes serve as mediators of signal initiation, transmission and termination of the cellular events such as inflammatory response, cellular apoptosis, coagulation of blood and hormone processing pathways [ 12]. Proteases play a prime role in regulation of the life of insects, agricultural pests, farm animal health, plants and marine food sources [11]. They possess the potential to contribute to our economy by improving plant and animal health through intensified growth and by treating and preventing parasite infections, crop protection through advanced herbicides and pesticides, and increased or speedy production of food resources [10]. * Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Biotechnology Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi-110025, India; Tel: +91 8447029437; E-mail: amu.jmi@rediffmail.com