Plant Bioactive Peptides: Current Status and Prospects Towards Use on Human Health

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<jats:p>Large numbers of bioactive peptides with potential applications in protecting against human
diseases have been identified from plant sources. In this review, we summarized recent
progress in the research of plant-derived bioactive peptides, encompassing their production, biological
effects, and mechanisms. This review focuses on antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and
anticancer peptides, giving special attention to evidence derived from cellular and animal models.
Studies investigating peptides with known sequences and well-characterized peptidic fractions or
protein hydrolysates will be discussed. The use of molecular docking tools to elucidate inter-molecular
interactions between bioactive peptides and target proteins is highlighted. In conclusion, the accumulating
evidence from in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies to date supports the envisioned applications
of plant peptides as natural antioxidants as well as health-promoting agents. Notwithstanding,
much work is still required before the envisioned applications of plant peptides can be realized.
To this end, future researches for addressing current gaps were proposed.</jats:p>
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