In this study, five novel Se-enriched antioxidant peptides
(FLSeML,
LSeMAAL, LASeMMVL, SeMLLAA, and LSeMAL) were purified and identified
from Se-enriched Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) seed protein hydrolysate. The five peptides
showed excellent cellular antioxidant activity, with respective EC50 values of 0.291, 0.383, 0.662, 0.1, and 0.123 μg/mL.
The five peptides (0.025 mg/mL) increased the cell viability from
78.72 to 90.71, 89.16, 93.92, 83.68, and 98.29%, respectively, effectively
reducing reactive oxygen species accumulation and significantly increasing
superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in damaged cells. Molecular
docking results revealed that the five novel Se-enriched peptides
interacted with the key amino acid of Keap1, thus directly blocking
the interaction of Keap1-Nrf2 and activating the antioxidant stress
response to enhance the ability of scavenging free radicals in vitro.
In conclusion, Se-enriched M. oleifera seed peptides exhibited significant antioxidant activity and can
be expected to find widespread use as a highly active natural functional
food additive and ingredient.