Review· 2006
LL-37, the only human member of the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides.
Biochimica et biophysica acta
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Human researchNot FDA-approved
LL-37
Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide
Also indexed as: Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide
What this evidence does not tell us
The linked review is background biology, not proof of systemic infection treatment. Limited clinical wound research cannot validate unrelated systemic uses.
Terms on this page
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5 glossary terms used in this profile
Terms on this page
Unfamiliar word? Open this panel for simple explanations, right here.
5 glossary terms used in this profile
Select a word to see its meaning. You can keep more than one definition open.
Definitions explain the words—not whether a molecule works or is safe. Research education only, not medical advice.
Overview
LL-37 is a human cathelicidin peptide involved in innate immune biology. Its naturally occurring role does not establish the safety or efficacy of administering LL-37 as a drug.
Mechanism of action
Cathelicidin / innate immunity
Interacts with microbial membranes and host immune pathways. Antimicrobial, inflammatory and repair-related effects vary by tissue and experimental context.
A biological pathway describes a proposed or observed interaction—not necessarily a demonstrated health outcome.
Decode the terminology in our glossaryScientific evidence
How strong is the evidence?
Human evidence is still developing
- Limited evidence
- Early research
- Human researchCurrent category
- Human outcomes
Studies in people exist, but the findings may be small, narrow, mixed or still need confirmation. A hormone or cell marker is not necessarily a health benefit.
For this research: The linked review is background biology, not proof of systemic infection treatment. Limited clinical wound research cannot validate unrelated systemic uses.
An editorial guide—not a validated score, a percentage, a safety rating or an approval badge. Regulatory status is separate. More research does not mean fewer risks.
Cell studies
Mechanistic laboratory evidence is not separately assessed in this selected-source summary; see references and their study types.
Animal experiments
Animal evidence is not separately assessed here. Findings in animals must not be interpreted as demonstrated human benefit.
Human observational studies
Associations, biomarker studies and anecdotes cannot establish treatment causality; no observational result is used here to infer clinical effectiveness.
Human clinical trials
Limited human wound research exists; the selected citation is a biology review, not a systemic-use efficacy trial.
Regulatory evidence
No FDA-approved finished drug for this molecule is identified in this edition. Investigational use, published research or compounding does not establish FDA approval.
Potential research applications
Antimicrobial defense, wound biology and immune signaling.
These describe scientific questions, not prescribing recommendations. A research grouping does not establish combination safety or clinical effectiveness.
Explore research by health goalSafety considerations
FDA cites inadequate human safety information and nonclinical reproductive and protumorigenic concerns in some tissues. Inflammatory effects are context-dependent.
This is not an exhaustive safety or contraindication list. An absence of reported harm is not proof of safety. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, cancer history, endocrine disease and concurrent medicines can materially change risk. Unregulated preparations add identity, contamination and sterility risks.
Read FDA’s compounding safety informationRegulatory status · United States
Not FDA-approved
No FDA-approved finished drug for this molecule is identified in this edition. Investigational use, published research or compounding does not establish FDA approval.
Regulatory status and evidence strength are different. A nomination for compounding, a clinical-trial registration or a “research use only” label is not approval. International rules vary; consult the current regulator and product label.
Selected literature & source transparency
Matched bibliographic records confirm a publication’s identity, not the validity of every claim. Selected sources are not a systematic literature review.
Continue your own source search
These open search results, not additional verified citations. Trial registration is not evidence that a treatment works.
Three questions worth bringing to your clinician
- Which human outcomes—not just biomarkers—support this claim?
- What established options address my actual health concern?
- What do my medical history and current medicines change about the risks?
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