Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Seed-Derived Peptides Reduce Blood Pressure by Interacting with the Catalytic Site of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the effect of cocoa proteins (CP) on the blood pressure, using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches. The in silico assay showed 26 Criollo cocoa peptides with alignment in the Blast® analysis. Peptide sequences ranged from 6 to 16 amino acids, with molecular weight ranging from 560.31 to 1548.76 Da. The peptide sequences LSPGGAAV, TSVSGAGGPGAGR, and TLGNPAAAGPF showed the highest theoretical affinity with −8.6, −5.0, and −10.2 kcal/mol, for the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), renin, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R), respectively. The Criollo CP hydrolysates (CPH) presented in vitro ACE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 0.49 mg/mL. Furthermore, the orogastric administration of 150 mg CP/kg/day in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet (HF + CP group) showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 5% (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 7% (p < 0.001) compared with the HF group. The human equivalent dose (HED) of CP for an adult (60 kg) is 1.45 g per day. These results suggest that the consumption of CP could reduce blood pressure by blocking ACE, and could be used as an ingredient in the elaboration of antihypertensive functional foods.

Dynamics of potential antihypertensive and antidiabetogenic activities during artisanal fermentation of three varieties of Mexican cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.)

“…Moreover, Coronado‐Cáceres et al . (2021) reported that cocoa proteins subjected to SGD presented ACE inhibition with an IC 50 value of 0.49 mg mL −1 and reduced 5% systolic blood pressure and 7% diastolic blood pressure in rats administered with a high‐fat diet.…”

Exploration of the Nutritional and Functional Properties of Underutilized Grains as an Alternative Source for the Research of Food-Derived Bioactive Peptides

“…This is the case of intestinal digests of quinoa, which showed antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats and ACE inhibitory action specifically associated with FHPFPR, NWFPLPR, and NIFRPF peptides [ 117 ]. Likewise, the specific peptides obtained from simulated digesta of cocoa seed protein, namely, LSPGGAAV, TSVSGAGGPGAGR, and TLGNPAAAGPF, showed ACE inhibitory and antihypertensive activity in a high-fat diet rat model [ 122 ].…”

A comprehensive review on the pancreatic lipase inhibitory peptides: A future anti-obesity strategy

“…This paper aimed to explore the potential of peptides which inhibit pancreatic lipase obtained from the natural world as an anti-obesity therapeutic approach. For instance, pancreatic lipase inhibitory peptides have been obtained from plantbased sources i.e., millet grain [7], rice bran [8], oat bran [9], cocoa protein hydrolysates [10], cumin seeds [11], spent brewer's grain [12], hazelnuts [13], soybeans [14], fermented beans [15], and onions [16]. On the other hand, pancreatic lipase inhibitory peptides have been derived from marinebased sources such as sea cucumbers [17], tuna fish [18], shark fish [19], miiuy croaker fish [20], and dried seaweed-spirulina [21].…”

“…Likewise, in-silico evaluations of potential drug-like inhibitors of pancreatic lipase involved the SwissADME prediction tool, semi-empirical quantum mechanics (SQM), molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and molecular docking analysis. Their chemical reactivity and detailed molecular interactions of identified compounds with pancreatic lipase at its catalytic site domain were also elucidated and discussed [10,18] . Collectively, these reports illustrate few of the remarkably origins for peptide drug discovery and development.…”