Potential Therapeutic Applications of Mucuna pruriens Peptide Fractions Purified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography as Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Antioxidants, Antithrombotic and Hypocholesterolemic Agents

Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease: The Potential Role of Marine Bioactive Proteins and Peptides in Thrombosis Prevention

Thrombus and cardiovascular diseases pose a significant health threat, and dietary interventions have shown promising potential in reducing the incidence of these diseases. Marine bioactive proteins and peptides have been extensively studied for their antithrombotic properties. They can inhibit platelet activation and aggregation by binding to key receptors on the platelet surface. Additionally, they can competitively anchor to critical enzyme sites, leading to the inhibition of coagulation factors. Marine microorganisms also offer alternative sources for the development of novel fibrinolytic proteins, which can help dissolve blood clots. The advancements in technologies, such as targeted hydrolysis, specific purification, and encapsulation, have provided a solid foundation for the industrialization of bioactive peptides. These techniques enable precise control over the production and delivery of bioactive peptides, enhancing their efficacy and safety. However, it is important to note that further research and clinical studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of marine bioactive proteins and peptides in mitigating thrombotic events. The challenges and future application perspectives of these bioactive peptides also need to be explored.

Effects of molecular weight fraction on antioxidation capacity of rice protein hydrolysates

Rice protein was used as a starting material to provide rice protein hydrolysates (RPH) through enzyme-assisted extraction. RPH was further fractionated using ultrafiltration membrane (UF) and classified by molecular weight (MW; MW < 1 kDa, MW 1-10 kDa, and MW > 10 kDa). Peptides with MW < 1 kDa possessed superior antioxidant properties (p < 0.05). Therefore, UF demonstrated great efficacy in selectively separating antioxidant peptides. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the total phenolic concentration was correlated with oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC; r = 0.999, p < 0.05). Amino acid contents had negative correlations with the scavenging activity (specifically, IC50) of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals (r =  - 0.986 to - 1.000). Reducing power was related to aromatic amino acid contents (r = 0.997, p < 0.05). In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis was discovered to be an effective method of extracting and isolating natural antioxidant proteins from broken rice, thus preserving the nutritional quality of rice and making those proteins more accessible in future applications.

Recent findings on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of novel food-derived antihypertensive peptides

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Hypertension has remained a silent-killer.

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Novel peptides recently isolated from food proteins.

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Molecular mechanism of blood pressure-lowering: renin and ACE-inhibition, and beyond.

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Proposed molecular mechanisms for future research.

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Novel peptides are excellent candidates for nutraceutical development.

Hypertension impacts negatively on the quality of life of sufferers, and complications associated with uncontrolled hypertension are life-threatening. Hence, many research efforts are exploring the antihypertensive properties of bioactive peptides derived from food proteins using in vitro ACE-inhibitory assay, experimentally-induced and spontaneous hypertensive rats, normotensive and hypertensive human models. In this study, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of blood pressure-lowering properties of novel peptides reported in recent studies (2015-July 30, 2021) were discussed. In addition to common mechanisms such as the inhibition of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and renin activities, recently recognized mechanisms through which bioactive peptides exert their antihypertensive properties including the induction of vasodilation via upregulation of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) and prostaglandin receptor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockade were presented. Similarly, emerging mechanisms of blood pressure-lowering by bioactive peptides such as modulation of inflammation (TNF-α, and other cytokines signaling), oxidative stress (Keap-1/Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 and related signaling pathways), PPAR-γ/caspase3/MAPK signaling pathways and inhibition of lipid accumulation were discussed. The review also highlighted factors that influence the antihypertensive properties of peptides such as method of hydrolysis (type and number of enzymes, and chemical used for hydrolysis, and microbial fermentation), and amino acid sequence and chain length of peptides.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Mucuna prurien and its phylogenetic position

Mucuna pruriens is traditional medicinal plant originated in South Africa. We characterize the complete plastid genome of M. pruriens, which is a circular-mapping molecule 152,119 bp in length. The genome has a large single-copy region (LSC) of 78,258 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,735 bp, respectively. Additionally, the overall GC content of the chloroplast genome was 35.37%. The genome contains 138 genes, including 96 protein-coding, 38 tRNA, and four rRNA genes. The gene content and structure are conserved compared to other species in the genus Glycine. The chloroplast genome and existing data were used to infer its phylogenetic position. The results showed that M. pruriens clustered together with Glycine max and G. soja. These findings provide potential genetic markers that can aid in understanding the genetic diversity of M. pruriens.

Peptides from Mucuna pruriens L., with protection and antioxidant in vitro effect on HeLa cell line

BACKGROUND

Mucuna pruriens L. is a legume sown in the Mexican southeast with an important protein content. Studies have shown the potential use of by-products derived from Mucuna as a functional food because of the hypoglycemic and antihypertensive activities. Thus, this study aims to assess the antioxidant and protective effect of the peptide fractions derived from M. pruriens L., in vitro on the HeLa cell line. An enzymatic hydrolysis with pepsin-pancreatin was performed on the total protein concentrate, from which five peptide fractions were obtained.

RESULTS

All protein derivatives from M. pruriens L., except F5-10 kDa, decreased the hydrogen peroxide production by more than 50%. The highest antioxidant activity was exhibited by F1-3 kDa, which lowered the intracellular reactive oxygen species by 207 ± 4.20%. No significant differences were found in the protective effects of the protein hydrolysate, F5-10 kDa, F3-5 kDa and F1-3 kDa relative to the N-acetylcysteine control group.

CONCLUSION

This elucidated the potential action mechanisms of M. pruriens L. protein derivatives for future investigations and their role in the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Immunosuppressive effects of protein derivatives from Mucuna pruriens on a streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes murine model

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease induced by abnormal insulin secretions from β-cells in pancreas. The present study aimed to investigate the immunosuppressive effects from protein derivatives of Mucuna pruriens on a murine model of Type 1 diabetes. Hydrolyzate and five peptide fractions with different molecular weight were administered orally by 14 days, followed T1D murine model was built by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin over 5 days. The mice weight, blood glucose levels, anti-insulin, and anti-pancreatic islet β-cells antibodies, pro-inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 were determined in four times (0, 15, 30, and 45 day). Mice were sacrificed and pancreatic tissues samples were obtained and staining with hematoxylin and eosin to determine the degree of damage. The study demonstrated immunosuppressive activity in four of the six treatment groups: (a) T1D PPH, (b) T1D F 5-10 kDa, (c) T1D F 3-5 kDa, and (d) T1D F 1-3 kDa. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Due to the high content of native protein in seeds of Mucuna pruriens, studies have reported potential in the elaboration of hydrolysates and peptides with biological activity. These protein derivatives could help in the treatment of immunological disorders that are observed in several chronic non-communicable disease and inflammatory diseases, such as T1D. Activated macrophages and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate plays a crucial role in the initiation and maintenance of T1D; therefore, several studies has focused to reduce the effector functions of this cells for diminishing the clinical manifestations in inmmunocompromised patients. Thus, this study indicates the potential application of hydrolyzate and peptide fractions of M. pruriens in functional foods and dietary supplements could be developed for the treatment of inflammatory and chronic non-communicable diseases.

Food-derived antithrombotic peptides: Preparation, identification, and interactions with thrombin

Thromboembolism and its sequelae have been the leading causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Food-derived antithrombotic peptides, as potential ingredients in health-promoting functional foods targeting thrombus, have attracted increasing attention because of their high biological activities, low toxicity, and ease of metabolism in the human body. This review presents the conventional workflow of preparation, isolation and identification of antithrombotic peptides from various kinds of food materials. More importantly, to analyze the antithrombotic effects and mechanism of antithrombotic peptides, methods for interaction of anticoagulant peptides and thrombin, the main participant in thrombosis, were analyzed from biochemistry, solution chemistry and crystal chemistry. The present study is intended to highlight the recent advances in research of food-derived antithrombotic peptide as a novel vehicle in the field of food science and nutrition. Future outlooks are highlighted with the aim to suggest a research line to be followed in further studies with the introduced research approach.

Effect of Enzymatic Digestion of Protein Derivatives Obtained from Mucuna pruriens L. on Production of Proinflammatory Mediators by BALB/c Mouse Macrophages

Inflammation is considered to be a major risk factor for the pathogenesis of chronic non-communicable diseases. Macrophages are important immune cells, which regulate inflammation and host defense by secretion of proinflammatory mediators. Obtaining biopeptides by enzymatic hydrolysis adds value to proteins of vegetative origin, such as Mucuna pruriens L. The present study evaluated the effect of enzymatic digestion of protein derivatives obtained from M. pruriens L. on the production of proinflammatory mediators by BALB/c mouse macrophages. Five different molecular weight peptide fractions were obtained (F > 10, 5-10, 3-5, 1-3, and < 1 kDa, respectively). At 300 μg/mL, F5-10 kDa inhibited 50.26 and 61.00% NO and H₂O₂ production, respectively. Moreover, F5-10 kDa reduced the IL-6 and TNFα levels to 60.25 and 69.54%, respectively. After enzymatic digestive simulation, F5-10 kDa decreased the inflammatory mediators.

Mechanism of antihypertensive effect of Mucuna pruriens L. seed extract and its isolated compounds

Background In the search of safe and effective lead molecules from natural sources, Mucuna pruriens (MP) L. (Fabaceae) seeds were utilized for exploring the antihypertensive potential. Traditionally, it is used as diuretic and hypotensive. Methods Bioassay-guided fractions were utilized for the isolation of active compounds by column chromatography. IC50 value, enzyme kinetics and inhibition mechanism were determined. In vivo time and dose-dependent hypotensive study followed by changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) induced by angiotensin I (3 nmol/kg), angiotensin II (3 nmol/kg), and bradykinin (10 nmol/kg) in anesthetized rats was done. Plasma and tissue angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) activities were also determined. Results Phytochemical analysis by spectroscopic techniques revealed the presence of known compounds like genistein, ursolic acid and L-DOPA from the ethyl acetate and water fraction, respectively. In vitro study revealed MP ethyl acetate (MPEA) fraction and genistein as the most active fraction (IC50 156.45 µg/mL) and compound (IC50 253.81 µM), respectively. Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed a non-competitive mode of inhibition. ACE protein precipitation was the suggested mechanism for inhibition. The extract showed a time- and dose-dependent decrease in MAP. Genistein was able to dose-dependently reduce the MAP, up to 53±1.5 mmHg (40 mg/kg, i.v.). As compared to control, it showed a dose-dependent decrease in plasma ACE activity of 40.61 % and 54.76 % at 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively. It also decreased the ACE activity in the aorta (107.67nM/ml min at 10 mg, p<0.001; 95.33nM/ml min at 20 mg p<0.001). Captopril was used as a standard for various in vitro and in vivo assays. Conclusions The study revealed the antihypertensive potential of MP seed compounds via ACE inhibition.