Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Indian Scientists Develop Peptide Therapy for Eye Infections
Scientists in India have created a new treatment called SA-XV to help people with serious eye infections caused by fungi.
This treatment is made from a special tiny protein called a peptide.
The researchers found that SA-XV can stop the growth of harmful fungi and even help heal wounds in the eye.
Right now, the only medicine for these infections can hurt the kidneys, but SA-XV seems safer.
The scientists hope this new treatment can help many people, especially those who work in agriculture or have problems with contact lenses.
Indian researchers developed a peptide therapy (SA-XV) for fungal keratitis, a severe eye infection.
SA-XV is derived from the host-defense peptide S100A12 and shows antifungal potency.
The therapy interacts with fungal cell walls, membranes, and nuclei to induce cell death.
SA-XV is non-toxic, serum-stable, and effective against both planktonic and biofilm forms of fungi.
The study suggests SA-XV could be a novel therapeutic option with fewer side effects than current treatments.
- Who
- Researchers from Bose Institute, Kolkata and L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad
- What
- Developed a peptide therapy (SA-XV) for fungal keratitis
- When
- Published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (exact date not specified)
- Where
- India (research conducted in Kolkata and Hyderabad)
- Why
- To provide an alternative to current antifungal treatments with reduced side effects
- Research Team
- Bose Institute, Kolkata and L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad
- Peptide Name
- SA-XV
- Source Peptide
- S100A12
- Published In
- Journal of Biological Chemistry
- Target Infections
- Fungal keratitis, Fusarium, Candida species
- Mechanism
- Interacts with fungal cell wall, membrane, nucleus, and mitochondria
- Current Treatment
- Amphotericin B (with side effects)
