Plant-Derived Bioactive Peptides: Extraction, Isolation, Purification, Pharmacological Activities, Structure–Activity Relationship, and Applications

Plant-derived bioactive peptides (PDBPs) have become a key research focus owing to their multiple targets and high safety. However, current challenges in this field primarily include the low efficiency of traditional extraction techniques, the complex structure-activity relationships of PDBPs, the scalability of novel technologies, inadequate understanding of multisystem synergistic effects, and the scarcity of human clinical trials. To address these gaps, future research should integrate artificial intelligence to establish an integrated technological system spanning computer-aided design, targeted preparation, and activity verification, while prioritizing efforts to elucidate the mechanisms of multisystem synergism, develop environmentally friendly extraction processes and targeted delivery systems, and facilitate the translation of PDBPs from basic research to functional products. This review integrates food science, biotechnology, and pharmacology to analyze PDBPs structures, techniques, and cross-system actions, providing a theoretical and technological roadmap for applications in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.