Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, Lodz, Poland.
Curr Med Chem. 2024;31(31):5027-5045. doi: 10.2174/0929867331666230703145043.
In many circumstances, some crucial elements of the neuronal defense system fail, slowly leading to neurodegenerative diseases. Activating this natural process by administering exogenous agents to counteract unfavourable changes seems promising. Therefore, looking for neuroprotective therapeutics, we have to focus on compounds that inhibit the primary mechanisms leading to neuronal injuries, e.g., apoptosis, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Among many compounds considered neuroprotective agents, protein hydrolysates and peptides derived from natural materials or their synthetic analogues are good candidates. They have several advantages, such as high selectivity and biological activity, a broad range of targets, and high safety profile. This review aims to provide biological activities, the mechanism of action and the functional properties of plant-derived protein hydrolysates and peptides. We focused on their significant role in human health by affecting the nervous system and having neuroprotective and brain-boosting properties, leading to memory and cognitive improving activities. We hope our observation may guide the evaluation of novel peptides with potential neuroprotective effects. Research into neuroprotective peptides may find application in different sectors as ingredients in functional foods or pharmaceuticals to improve human health and prevent diseases.
在许多情况下，神经元防御系统的一些关键元素会失效，导致神经退行性疾病逐渐发生。通过给予外源性物质来对抗不利变化来激活这个自然过程似乎很有前景。因此，为了寻找神经保护疗法，我们必须关注那些能够抑制导致神经元损伤的主要机制的化合物，如细胞凋亡、兴奋性毒性、氧化应激和炎症。在被认为具有神经保护作用的许多化合物中，天然材料衍生的蛋白质水解物和肽及其合成类似物是很好的候选物。它们具有多种优点，如高选择性和生物活性、广泛的作用靶点和高安全性。本综述旨在提供植物源蛋白质水解物和肽的生物学活性、作用机制和功能特性。我们关注它们通过影响神经系统和具有神经保护和增强大脑功能特性，从而对记忆和认知活动产生改善作用，对人类健康的重要作用。我们希望我们的观察结果可以指导对具有潜在神经保护作用的新型肽的评估。神经保护肽的研究可能会在不同领域得到应用，例如功能性食品或药物中的成分，以改善人类健康和预防疾病。
