Food-derived Crassostrea gigas peptides self-assembled supramolecules for scarless healing

Peptides self-assembled materials are considered as excellent candidates for tissue engineering due to their excellent efficacy. However, their development and application are severely restricted on account of their single function, low yield and limited source, so it is urgent to explore new research strategy of self-assembly materials of multifunctional active peptides. In this study, we prepared multifunctional supramolecular materials (CNPs) with randomized peptides self-assemblies from Crassostrea gigas meats utilizing Controllable-hydrolysis (Neutral protease) process to explore their mechanism on dermal wound healing in in vitro and in vivo experiments through two (topical application & oral) administration pathways. Physical and chemical analysis results demonstrated that CNPs were novel supramolecules consisting of peptides with molecular weights of 605–2067 Da and lengths of 5–15 amino acids that randomly self-assemble into nano-structures. Results of in vitro tests suggested that CNPs possessed procoagulant, antioxidant effect and promote the proliferation of HaCaT cells. Results of in vivo studies revealed that two administration pathways of naturally safe CNPs could inhibit inflammation, promote fibroblast proliferation and revascularization, and accelerate the epithelialization process. Thus favoring a balanced repair tissue collagen I/III ratio and the promotion of hair follicle regeneration, with no effect on the intestinal flora structure and having a certain positive effect to achieve scarless healing. Overall, this study presents a simple preparation method of a safe and multifunctional novel self-assembling peptides material and its great potential in soft tissue repair.