Antibacterial Potential of Crocodile Blood: Mechanisms and Applications

Background: Crocodile blood contains a complex mixture of bioactive molecules. Among them are antimicrobial peptides and plasma proteins. These molecules are mainly responsible for the blood’s strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal actions. They also participate in tissue repair and wound healing. Such findings indicate that crocodiles have an efficient innate immune system, enabling them to survive in environment rich in microorganisms. Methods: This review was conducted by analyzing ۲۳ English-language articles available on PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate, focusing on studies that investigated the antimicrobial and wound-healing properties of crocodile blood. Results: Several studies have shown that crocodile blood suppresses the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, even in multidrug-resistant isolates. Its bioactive peptides and plasma proteins exert antibacterial effects through multiple mechanisms, including membrane disruption, oxidative stress induction, inhibition of intracellular targets, and quorum sensing interference. In vitro and in vivo studies further indicate that these compounds can suppress bacterial growth, prevent biofilm formation, and promote tissue repair. Conclusion: Crocodile blood exhibits significant antibacterial activity, primarily due to its bioactive peptides and plasma proteins. This may provide new opportunities for developing antimicrobial treatments in both veterinary and biomedical contexts.

کلیدواژه ها:

Crocodile ، Antibacterial activity ، Antimicrobial peptides ، In vitro studies