Following other studies [59], [PERSON] et al. confirmed the relevance of human neutrophil peptide (HNP1-3) for the prevention of caries in children [60]. Notably, an interesting approach to maintaining antimicrobial effects in the oral environment was also recently demonstrated by [PERSON] et al. The authors developed a curcumin-containing spray that displayed antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses, and confirmed that application of the spray inhibited viruses while maintaining cell viability via a mechanism involving augmentation of LL-37, human defensin-5, and cytokine expression, thus enhancing mucosal innate immunity [61]. Studies carried out in the last 2 years also revealed novel molecular mechanisms of action and biological characteristics for well-recognized oral AMPs. [PERSON] et al. revealed that histatin-5 (Hist-5), an AMP found in human saliva, exerts its fungicidal activity by facilitating the hyperaccumulation of copper in _C. albicans_ cells [62]. Concurrently, a study conducted by [PERSON] et al. strongly recommended reassessing the role of Zn(II) in histatin-5 function and the role of this peptide as a salivary antimicrobial agent; under in vitro conditions, histatin-5 does not contribute to Zn(II)-dependent nutritional immunity against streptococci but instead suppresses the availability of excess zinc ions to bacterial cells in vitro, potentially reducing the virulence of bacteria in the oral cavity and orophnx [63]. Considerable emphasis has also been placed on human cathelcidin LL-37, a widely acknowledged host AMP in the oral cavity, which has been previously detected in saliva and gingival cricular fluid of patients with chronic forms of periodontitis and gingivitis at substantially elevated concentrations [64]. However, the antibacterial properties of this molecule and its ability to regulate the activity of inflammatory cells in the oral cavity have not been well investigated until recently. [PERSON] et al. showed that LL-37 not only has antimicrobial properties but also directly inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines induced by lipopolysaccharideaccharides from _E. coli_ and _Porphyromonas gingivalis_. Additionally, it promotes the expression of various bioactive molecules involved in inflammation and repair, such as CXCL8, hepatocyte growth factor, and CXCL1, suggest ing that LL-37 or cathelicidin-derived mimetics could be used as a therapeutic option for treating periodontitis [65]. Recently published studies highlight the possibility of improving the diagnosis of systemic medical conditions via analysis of salivary markers, including AMP concentrations. Analysis of salivary proteome was proposed recently as a method to diagnose Parkinson's disease (PD) and distinguish it from similar pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The saliva of PD subjects showed a higher abundance of antileukoproteinase (or secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor) and cystatin SA, while the saliva of AD patients showed the highest levels of \(\alpha\)-defensins and short oxidized S100A9 peptide [66]. Other studies observed a lowered expression of AMPs, including human cathelicidin LL-37, in children and adolescent subjects living with HIV following antiretroviral therapy [67]. Disrupted levels of AMPs from lysozyme, lactoferrin, or cathelicidin were also noted in subjects upon SARS-CoV-2 infection [68; 69]. Likewise, abnormalities in the salivary profiles of defensins and thymosin \(\beta\)4 have been found in West and Noonan patients with developmental non-inflammatory gingival enlargements [70]. Although the most clinically relevant therapeutic approaches still rely on antimicrobial agents, there is an ever-growing recognition that dental treatment strategies that seek to restore oral cavity balance are superior to those that eliminate a specific pathological species [71]. In this aspect, [PERSON] et al. proposed the utility of three _Lactobacillus_ strains for preventing _S. mutans_ and _C.