抗微生物肽（Antimicrobial peptides）是先天免疫反应进化过程中相对保守的成分。在所有生物类别都有抗微生物肽。 抗微生物肽是强效的，广谱抗生素，可望成为新型治疗剂。实验证明抗微生物肽能杀死革兰氏阴性菌和革兰氏阳性菌(包括那些对常规 抗生素有抗药性的菌种), 分枝杆菌(包括结核杆菌),具外套膜病毒,真菌,甚至转化的细胞或癌细胞。不同于许多传统的抗生素，抗微生物肽还可以作为免疫调节剂以提高免疫力。

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also called host defense peptides (HDPs) are part of the innate immune response found among all classes of life. Fundamental differences exist between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells that may represent targets for antimicrobial peptides. These peptides are potent, broad spectrum antibiotics which demonstrate potential as novel therapeutic agents. Antimicrobial peptides have been demonstrated to kill Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, enveloped viruses, fungi and even transformed or cancerous cells. Unlike the majority of conventional antibiotics it appears as though antimicrobial peptides may also have the ability to enhance immunity by functioning as immunomodulators.