Biologically active peptides are a family of proteins that are useful in the treatment of a variety of health conditions. These peptides have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune-regulating properties. These peptides can be produced from a range of sources, including enzymes, plant or animal proteins, and microbial fermentation.
The bioactivity of peptides is influenced by the sequence, amino acid position, and structure. Some peptides can be converted into active pharmaceutical agents using chemical methods.
These drugs can be used to treat a wide range of diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In addition, some peptides can be administered orally to humans, making them potentially useful as a form of medicine.
Peptide-based drug synthesis is a relatively new technology that makes it possible to produce active peptides in a short amount of time and at low cost. The process is based on the synthesis of peptide intermediates, which are then subjected to further peptide-based chemistry to produce the desired active peptide.
Bioactive peptides can be extracted from various marine organisms, such as tonics and sponges. Some of these peptides have been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the laboratory.
The production of peptides with specific activities can also be achieved by combining different amino acids or using different techniques for synthesis. Examples of peptides that have therapeutic value include insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), glucagon receptor agonists, and cytokines.
Other peptides have a broad range of applications, such as immunomodulatory peptides, antimicrobial peptides, antidiabetic peptides, hypocholesterolemic peptides, and opioid peptides. Many of these peptides have antioxidant properties that prevent oxidation.