Preparation and Identification of Corn-Derived Bioactive Peptides with Triple Efficacy of ADH-Activating, XOD-Inhibiting and Antioxidant Activity

TL;DR

Researchers developed corn-based peptides that help with alcohol metabolism, reduce uric acid, and act as antioxidants, offering a natural alternative to current treatments.

Contribution

The study introduces corn-derived peptides with triple efficacy in activating ADH, inhibiting XOD, and showing antioxidant activity.

Findings

Corn-derived peptides showed ADH activation, XOD inhibition, and antioxidant properties.

Three peptides (LMFP, FEGLFR, QLPSYR) were identified as synergistically effective.

Peptides bind to ADH and XOD via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions.

Abstract

The health risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption have emerged as a public health challenge, with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and hyperuricemia (HUA) being particularly prominent health issues. Current treatments often have side effects, driving the need for safe, multi-target natural alternatives. Based on the dual barrier strategy of “metabolic regulation–antioxidant defense”, this study developed bioactive peptides from corn germ meal via enzymatic hydrolysis, which simultaneously activated alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), inhibited xanthine oxidase (XOD), and exhibited antioxidative properties. The fraction <3 kDa emerged with stronger triple bioactivity while also demonstrating sensitivity to strong acids and enhanced activity under trypsin treatment in in vitro stability tests. A total of 841 unique peptides were obtained from purified peptide fractions. After computer-aided screening and molecular docking, three corn-derived peptides (LMFP, FEGLFR, and QLPSYR) were identified, which acted synergistically. Docking simulations revealed that they bind to ADH and XOD via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, suggesting potential interactions with these enzymes that may influence their activity. The corn-derived bioactive peptides developed in this study may serve as potential resources for alleviating alcohol metabolism and hyperuricemia symptoms.

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