New Insights into Antioxidant Peptides: An Overview of Efficient Screening, Evaluation Models, Molecular Mechanisms, and Applications

Abstract

Antioxidant peptides are currently a hotspot in food science, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In different fields, the screening, activity evaluation, mechanisms, and applications of antioxidant peptides are the pivotal areas of research. Among these topics, the efficient screening of antioxidant peptides stands at the forefront of cutting-edge research. To this end, efficient screening with novel technologies has significantly accelerated the research process, gradually replacing the traditional approach. After the novel antioxidant peptides are screened and identified, a time-consuming activity evaluation is another indispensable procedure, especially in in vivo models. Cellular and rodent models have been widely used for activity evaluation, whilst non-rodent models provide an efficient solution, even with the potential for high-throughput screening. Meanwhile, further research of molecular mechanisms can elucidate the essence underlying the activity, which is related to several signaling pathways, including Keap1-Nrf2/ARE, mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, TGF-β/SMAD, AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and NF-κB. Last but not least, antioxidant peptides have broad applications in food manufacture, therapy, and the cosmetics industry, which requires a systematic review. This review introduces novel technologies for the efficient screening of antioxidant peptides, categorized with a new vision. A wide range of activity evaluation assays, encompassing cellular models, as well as rodent and non-rodent models, are provided in a comprehensive manner. In addition, recent advances in molecular mechanisms are analyzed with specific cases. Finally, the applications of antioxidant peptides in food production, therapy, and cosmetics are systematically reviewed.

Antioxidant Potential of Bioactive Peptides Derived from Fish Waste: A Focus on Catla catla Liver and Intestinal Tissue

“…Evaluating the in vivo antioxidant effects of peptides using animal models has also been a focus, with studies demonstrating the protective effects of peptides against oxidative damage (Cipolari et al, 2020;Zhang et al, 2024). Moreover, research has explored the bioavailability and mechanisms of action of antioxidant peptides, providing insights into their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, thereby enhancing our understanding of their physiological effects (Losada-Barreiro et al, 2022).…”

A Review of Recent Developments in Biopolymer Nano-Based Drug Delivery Systems with Antioxidative Properties: Insights into the Last Five Years

“…These bioactive peptides, whether derived from dietary proteins or synthesized, have demonstrated substantial ROS scavenging activity, offering potential benefits for human health promotion. Review papers that address this topic have been published recently [201][202][203][204][205][206].…”

Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Collagen Peptide from Fish and Recent Biological Activities of the Collagen Peptides

“…Anti-Oxidant Activity antioxidant capabilities in peptides made from collagen have been discovered to protect cells against oxidative injury and minimize free radical damage (Asserin et al, 2015a). Anti-Inflammatory Effects as a result of collagen peptides' anti-inflammatory properties, which include the suppression of cytokines that are pro-inflammatory and enzymes, inflammation in many tissues may be reduced (Zhang et al, 2024). Collagen peptides have been shown to promote cell proliferation and differentiation in various cell types, contributing to tissue repair and regeneration (Kołodziejska, Kaflak and Kolmas, 2020).…”