Sturgeon protein-derived peptides exert anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages via the MAPK pathway

Previous studies have demonstrated that polypeptides extracted from fish protein possess potential anti-inflammatory effects, but few studies have reported the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism of sturgeon peptides. Hence, the goal of this study was to explore the peptide sequences with potential anti-inflammatory activity derived from sturgeon muscle protein in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 inflammatory model. Fourteen novel peptides were identified in major muscle proteins by mass spectrometry, and three synthetic peptides – KIWHHTF, VHYAGTVDY, and HLDDALRGQE - decreased the release of inflammatory mediators and inflammatory cytokines (NO, IL-6, and IL-1β), while increasing SOD activity significantly in the LPS-induced RAW264.7 inflammatory model. Western blotting analysis revealed that these peptides suppressed the phosphorylation levels of MAPKs, indicating that these peptides exerted anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the MAPK pathway. The novel peptides potentially have application prospects as functional food ingredients.