Bioactive Peptides and Protein Hydrolysates as Lipoxygenase Inhibitors

Simple Summary This review is about lipoxygenases, which are enzymes present in the human body that cause inflammation when they come into contact with certain fats. Compounds that block the action of lipoxygenases can potentially help stop disease and inflammation. Such compounds can also be used to produce pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products. Bioactive peptides are tiny parts of a protein that can be released when the protein is broken down. These peptides can promote health in many different ways, including blocking the action of lipoxygenases. In this review, peptides from grains, seeds, insects, milk, fish feed, antler blood, fish scales, and feathers are explored. Their activities and they means by which they block the action of lipoxygenases are discussed. Potential research directions for scientists to consider in the future to help discover new peptides that can block the action of lipoxygenases are proposed. Lipoxygenases are non-heme iron-containing enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, resulting in the production of lipid hydroperoxides, which are precursors of inflammatory lipid mediators. These enzymes are widely distributed in humans, other eukaryotes, and cyanobacteria. Lipoxygenases hold promise as therapeutic targets for several human diseases, including cancer and inflammation-related disorders. Inhibitors of lipoxygenase have potential applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. Bioactive peptides are short amino acid sequences embedded within parent proteins, which can be released by enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, and gastrointestinal digestion. A wide variety of bioactivities have been documented for protein hydrolysates and peptides derived from different biological sources. Recent findings indicate that protein hydrolysates and peptides derived from both edible and non-edible bioresources can act as lipoxygenase inhibitors. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the production of anti-lipoxygenase protein hydrolysates and peptides from millet grains, chia seeds, insects, milk proteins, fish feed, velvet antler blood, fish scales, and feather keratins. The anti-lipoxygenase activities and modes of action of these protein hydrolysates and peptides are discussed. The strengths and shortcomings of previous research in this area are emphasized. Additionally, potential research directions and areas for improvement are suggested to accelerate the discovery of anti-lipoxygenase peptides in the near future.