Molecular Mechanisms of Antioxidant Action in Marine-Derived Peptides

Abstract

Marine ecosystems provide a rich and diverse source of bioactive proteins and peptides with notable health-promoting properties. Although the vast biodiversity of marine life is immense, research has predominantly concentrated on a limited group of organisms, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, algae, sponges, and marine microorganisms. Fish stand out as a particularly valuable source of high-quality proteins, such as collagen, myoglobin, and actin, which are obtained not only from edible tissues but also from processing by-products. Additionally, other marine organisms like sea cucumbers, shellfish, and seaweeds have emerged as promising alternatives for collagen extraction, offering sustainable and versatile applications in health, cosmetics, and biomaterials. Marine-derived peptides exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and enzyme-inhibitory effects. For instance, peptides from shellfish possess angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity that aids in blood pressure regulation, while antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) isolated from various marine species demonstrate broad-spectrum activity and excellent biocompatibility, making them attractive for pharmaceutical and food preservation uses. Among these bioactivities, antioxidant effects have been extensively studied. Marine peptides can neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), chelate metal ions, and enhance the body’s antioxidant defense systems, thus mitigating oxidative stress linked to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and cancer. This antioxidant potential is attributed to specific amino acids that promote free radical scavenging and interaction with cellular membranes. Numerous studies report that protein hydrolysates derived from marine sources—including sea cucumbers, shrimp shells, krill, and fish muscle—exhibit strong antioxidant effects both in vitro and in biological models. These findings underscore the promising potential of marine-derived peptides as natural bioactive compounds for developing functional foods, nutraceuticals, and therapeutic agents aimed at improving human health.