Bioactive Peptides as Potential Nutraceuticals for Diabetes Therapy: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health concern associated with high mortality and reduced life expectancy. The alarming rise in the prevalence of diabetes is linked to several factors including sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. Nutritional intervention and increased physical activity could significantly contribute to bringing this under control. Food-derived bioactive peptides and protein hydrolysates have been associated with a number health benefits. Several peptides with antidiabetic potential have been identified that could decrease blood glucose level, improve insulin uptake and inhibit key enzymes involved in the development and progression of diabetes. Dietary proteins, from a wide range of food, are rich sources of antidiabetic peptides. Thus, there are a number of benefits in studying peptides obtained from food sources to develop nutraceuticals. A deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of these peptides will assist in the development of new peptide-based therapeutics. Despite this, a comprehensive analysis of the antidiabetic properties of bioactive peptides derived from various food sources is still lacking. Here, we review the recent literature on food-derived bioactive peptides possessing antidiabetic activity. The focus is on the effectiveness of these peptides as evidenced by in vitro and in vivo studies. Finally, we discuss future prospects of peptide-based drugs for the treatment of diabetes.

Effect of Camel Milk on Glucose Homeostasis in Patients with Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Recently, a list of bioactive peptides with antidiabetic potential has been identified in dietary proteins, which could improve insulin uptake, decrease blood glucose levels, and inhibit key enzymes involved in the development and progression of diabetes [ 11 , 71 ]. Among these, peptides produced from trypsin-digested CM proteins have been shown to inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV, DPP-4) or T-cell antigen CD26, a key enzyme regulating the biological activity of the incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1, which plays an important role in glucose homeostasis [ 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ].…”

“…Among these, dromedary camel ( Camelus dromedaries , also known as an Arabian camel ) milk (CM) has been gaining considerable attention from scientific and medical communities. Owing to its unique composition characterized by the presence of a plethora of essential nutrients [ 9 , 10 ] and bioactive constituents [ 11 , 12 ], CM has been shown to have various beneficial effects on human health and nutrition, as well as many functional properties related to the prevention and management of many chronic and acute diseases [ 10 , 11 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. One of the most compelling effects is the anti-diabetic and glucose-lowering effects of CM.…”

In vitro and in vivo studies of the antidiabetic potential of Red Sea sponge-associated fungus “Aspergillus unguis” isolate SP51-EGY with correlations to its chemical composition

“…In addition, increased levels of fasting and postprandial GLP-1 were recorded in patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and treated with acarbose for 24 weeks (Zheng et al, 2013). GLP-1 is a gastrointestinal hormone incretin which enhances insulin, suppresses glucagon secretion, and slows the gastric emptying, leading to lowered blood glucose levels (Antony and Vijayan, 2021). Therefore, following α-glucosidase inhibitors administration, large amounts of undigested carbohydrates reach the distal small intestine, which is rich in L-cells that produce GLP-1 and accordingly stimulates GLP-1 increased long-lasting secretion (Kalra, 2014).…”

A comprehensive review on the glucoregulatory properties of food-derived bioactive peptides

“…Food proteins from different sources including animal and plant ( Antony and Vijayan, 2021 , Kehinde and Sharma, 2020 ) as well as edible insects ( Lee et al, 2021 ) have been increasingly acknowledged for their potential benefits towards management of many chronic diseases including diabetes. The physiological properties of food proteins are carried out by bioactive peptides; the protein fragments encrypted within the parent protein with positive effects on body functions and/or human health beyond their nutritional value ( Korhonen & Pihlanto, 2006 ).…”